After nearly six years of broadcasting from the heart of the Barras, Glasgow’s beloved independent station Clyde Built Radio is asking for help to secure its future. The volunteer-run station has launched a crowdfunder to cover its running costs for the year ahead, protect its studio, and strengthen its role as a hub for the city’s creative community.
Since its launch in 2020, Clyde Built Radio has aired thousands of shows, giving a platform to emerging DJs, established artists, and community voices from across Scotland and beyond. Founded as an offshoot of the Clyde Built compilation series by Huntleys & Palmers, the station has grown into a cornerstone of Glasgow’s cultural landscape – a place where collaboration, experimentation and inclusivity thrive.
But rising costs and shrinking funding opportunities have pushed the station to a critical point. “Our goal has always been simple: to provide an open, independent platform where Glasgow’s diverse voices can be heard, celebrated and connected,” the CBR team explains. “We’ve kept things going through events, collaborations, and a lot of hard work – but this model is no longer sustainable.”
The station hopes to raise £20,000, a target that would secure rent and streaming costs for the next year, provide breathing room to plan long-term, and allow for long-overdue improvements to its Barras studio – from structural repairs to accessibility upgrades. Any additional funds will go towards project management and Crowdfunder fees.
Creative Scotland is matching every donation, meaning contributions will go twice as far in helping Clyde Built Radio stay independent.
Alongside its radio output, Clyde Built Radio has played an active role in Glasgow’s wider cultural scene, collaborating with institutions such as Glasgow International, V&A Dundee, GFT, and Somerset House, and community groups including Unity Centre and Glasgow Autonomous Space.
Looking ahead, Clyde Built Radio aims to expand its workshops, offer more structured volunteer training, and upgrade its website to include detailed show pages, search tools, and a full archive of broadcasts – preserving Glasgow’s musical heritage for future generations.
“Can’t afford to keep going, but can’t afford to stop,” says the team. “If CBR has ever meant something to you – if you’ve played a show, listened in, or discovered someone new – now’s the time to chip in.”