A WAR of words has erupted between a community radio station and East Renfrewshire Council after DJs were told to pack up and leave their Barrhead base.
The team at Pulse 98.4 have been given 40 days to quit their studio at St Luke’s High School, as East Renfrewshire Council needs the building back for “educational purposes.”
It has left the station facing an uncertain future and prompted breakfast show host Gus Maclean to launch an on-air outburst, during which he slammed council staff.
The DJ, who is also the station’s chairman, described them as “morons” and “plebs.”
Mr Maclean singled out two employees, describing one as “a third-rate solicitor” because she had attended Strathclyde University.
Email addresses of council staff were also shared during the broadcast, with listeners urged to “go and email the pleb now,” in reference to the estates team leader.
Council chiefs have condemned the comments and said “personal attacks will not be tolerated.”
A spokesman told the Barrhead News: “The accusations made live on air during the Pulse Radio Breakfast Show on Thursday, March 31, were completely unacceptable and unbecoming of a community-based radio station.
“Pulse Radio has operated out of a council-owned building within the grounds of St Luke’s High since 2015, at no cost.
“The council did not require use of this building when agreeing to allow the station to operate from this space.
“Due to a range of factors, this building is now needed to provide additional space for educational purposes.”
The building is to be used as part of the council’s “vocational offering” to pupils from across East Renfrewshire. It is believed a hair and beauty academy is in the pipeline.
Bosses at Pulse, which has been running for 15 years and has 42 volunteers, said they are “extremely disappointed” by the council’s decision, which puts the station’s future in “serious jeopardy.”
A spokesperson added: “We have not been given any prior warning or reasoning for the council forcing a charity and community-driven organisation to leave our home in just 40 days’ time. Indeed, the notice was sent to our former chairman, who hasn’t been involved with the station for several years.
“We endeavour to work with the council to find a suitable resolution.”
The council has said it will offer support to Pulse as the station seeks a new home.
“The lease agreement in place with Pulse is renewed on a yearly basis,” added the spokesman. “In line with the legislation for yearly leases, 40 days’ notice has now been provided to make the organisation aware that we require this building back. We will support Pulse as far as is possible in their efforts to secure alternative accommodation.”
East Renfrewshire MP Kirsten Oswald said she had also been in contact with the station about the "concerning news" about their base.
Ms Oswald added: "I understand that a meeting has been arranged to discuss a way forward and hope the council and Pulse can identify a solution that keeps this important local service operating.”
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