Radio LaB has won the top prize at the Community Radio Awards for the first time in its history, with the University of Bedfordshire’s Luton-based station taking Gold in the Station of the Year category.
The award recognises the quality of the station’s broadcasting, the work of its student volunteers and its contribution to the wider community. The judges described Radio LaB as “a superb station with outstanding production values”, adding that “everything it does comes across with real pride, creativity, and personality”.
The station also won Gold in the Voices of the Community category for The Coeliac Shack, a Radio LaB-produced programme exploring life with coeliac disease.
The double victory marks a major milestone for the station, which gives students hands-on experience of broadcasting and audio production using professional facilities at the university’s Luton campus.
Terry Lee, Senior Tutor in Radio and Audio and co-ordinator of Radio LaB, said: “What a fantastic night for Radio LaB! Winning Gold for Station of the Year is an incredible achievement and something we’re immensely proud of. It reflects the outstanding work of our students and the reputation we’ve built over many years through our strong connections across Luton and beyond. The backing of the University of Bedfordshire puts us in a really special position, combining the resources of a university with the creativity and community focus of local radio.
“We’ve had radio at the University in one form or another since Luton FM launched in 1997, so to receive this recognition as we approach our 30th year feels particularly significant. We hope these awards inspire even more students and young people across Luton to get involved, create radio and audio with us, and discover what they can achieve.”
Radio LaB gives students the opportunity to develop skills in presenting, programme production, audio content and digital media, helping them gain experience that can support future careers in broadcasting and the wider creative industries.
Danielle Foley, one of the station’s student managers for 2025/26, said: “This award is dedicated to all of our amazing volunteers at Radio LaB. None of this would be possible without them. It’s great to see this incredible community thrive and what we have been able to do over the past year has been great.”
The success comes as Radio LaB also looks ahead to the 2026 Student Radio Awards, where it has been shortlisted for nine awards. The winners are due to be announced on Tuesday 24 November.
Be the first to comment