Essex Radio launched on September 12th 1981 from Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Later it was renamed Essex FM. Since then it has been known around the area for its informative and up-to-date content of music and chat. The Essex Radio Group owned nearby stations. The station became part of the
GWR Group in October 2000.
On October 27th 2004, the station moved from Southend-on-Sea to Chelmsford. The 96.FM signal comes from Bakers Wood to the west of Chelmsford, 102.6FM comes from
Benfleet , and 97.5FM comes from Maitland House in central Southend-on-Sea.