is an
Independent Local Radio station broadcasting from the suburb of
Knowsley near
Liverpool in the
United Kingdom . The station originally launched as '''KCR 106.7''', a
Community Radio service for the area, but this proved to be financially unsuccessful. KCR was taken over by
The Local Radio Company (TLRC) in
2004 who embarked upon a significant rebranding and relaunch. During the period between the takeover and the relaunch, many of the original volunteer presenters and specialist music shows were taken off the air, causing significant animosity between the original staff and the new owners. More than one axed presenter used their final show as a platform to voice their resentment towards the radio group.
Today, The Rocket broadcasts under TLRC's ''Musicfunlife'' format and takes evening programmes from that network, including music and comedy programme ''Simon James and Hill'' and late-night phone-in ''North-South Divided''. The name refers to
Stephenson's Rocket , a locomotive which was operated in the area, as well as the well-known landmark of the Rocket roundabout (itself named after a local pub), which marks the end of the
M62 Motorway close to Knowsley.
