Bristol community radio Ujima looks set to be back on air within days after the Mayor of Bristol stepped in to help get its electricity reconnected.
The station’s power was cut off last Tuesday after a dispute with the landlords of its Wilder Street, St Paul’s, studio. 
Leaseholders Ceed Ltd claim Ujima’s rent does not cover the station’s electricity usage, which comes from Utility Warehouse. However, the station’s bosses say they have paid all their bills and have been left at the mercy of the landlord.
The building is owned by Bristol City Council and Ujima managers called on Mayor George Ferguson to personally intervene and help to restore power to their studios.
A demonstration outside its studio on Friday showed the level of backing for the urban music station.
Over the weekend Mr Ferguson said: “I have asked officers to intervene in order to ensure that Ujima Radio is back on air as soon as possible.
“We have asked British Gas to take on the power to 97 Wilder Street and to install individual meters for all tenants so that everyone is responsible for paying for their own power in future. We anticipate that power will be restored some time around the middle of this week.
“The radio station provides an important service to the local community and I want to ensure that this situation is resolved as quickly as possible so that it can resume service once again and that we also take the opportunity to review the leasehold, use and management of the building, which is clearly unsatisfactory.”
Chair of Ujima Radio, Bristol's number one urban music station, Roger Griffith said: “We welcome this bold intervention by the mayor to ensure our radio station is back on air.
“I would also like to thank city councillors from all parties and our many friends who rallied around us in our time of need, from the community, arts and media groups.
“Finally we would like to pay tribute to our tireless volunteers and loyal listeners for their fantastic support and total dedication to our important cause.”
