Piccadilly Radio archives to be digitised for future generations to enjoy

An iconic piece of Manchester’s musical jigsaw is set to be immortalised thanks to a huge grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Piccadilly Radio, a real staple of everyday Manchester life back in the day, has received a £99,000 grant to digitise their immense archive of music and journalism.

The station launched the careers of many well-known broadcasters, including Chris Evans, Timmy Mallett, Gary Davies, Mark Radcliffe, Andy Crane, Steve Penk, and Andy Peebles. 

Digitising Piccadilly Radio’s archives

The archive, which consists of reel-to-reel tapes stored at Manchester Central Library, has been safely kept for years but is now in urgent need of digitisation due to the degradation of the tapes and the obsolescence of the format.

The project will bring Piccadilly Radio’s rich history to a new generation of fans, with 300 curated clips and memorabilia to be made available on the Manchester Digital Music Archive (MDMA). You can find out more about MDMA by clicking here

Tony Ingham, Former Producer at Piccadilly Radio, said:  “It was very important that the legacy of Piccadilly Radio be preserved.

“As someone who worked at the station for many years, it played a massive part of people’s everyday lives in the 70s and 80s and the fact that its cultural significance and magical memories will be accessible for them, and future generations is fantastic.

“I know that former colleagues who worked at the station are delighted and grateful to the Library and the National Lottery Heritage Fund for recognising the importance of the archive.”

Bringing Picadilly Radio to a new generation of fans

This initiative will allow a wider audience to explore the station’s legacy, from its launch in 1974 to its eventual closure in 1988.

The lottery funding has been supplemented by contributions from Manchester Libraries Trust and former Piccadilly Radio staff members, ensuring the project is well-supported.

A newly appointed project manager will oversee the initiative, aiming to preserve the station’s legacy for future generations.

As part of the project, journalism students from the University of Salford will produce podcasts featuring interviews with former Piccadilly Radio staff, presenters, and listeners.

These podcasts will highlight the significance of the station in the city’s broadcasting history and offer a nostalgic look back at its influence.

Young radio enthusiasts will also benefit from the project through a collaboration with the Manchester Hip Hop Archive.

Over a three-month period, workshops will educate young people on podcast production techniques, using the station’s soul and hip-hop shows as inspiration.

Additionally, older generations will be engaged through reminiscence sessions and skills workshops.

A huge community project

The digitisation process will also involve the community.

Sixty volunteers will be trained to help make the archive more accessible by adding search terms and information to the catalogue, enabling people to access the archives from home or at the library.

Members of the public will be encouraged to contribute any tapes they may have recorded from Piccadilly Radio that are not already in the archives.

To celebrate the preservation of the station’s history, Manchester Central Library will host a six-month exhibition next year, showcasing the archives and offering behind-the-scenes tours for participants, volunteers, and listeners.

Brendan O’Shea, Chair of Manchester Libraries Trust, said: “Manchester Libraries Trust is delighted to have helped secure funding for the digitisation of Piccadilly Radio archives. Piccadilly Radio is an important part of the history of Manchester.

“Digitising the content will provide future generations with a vital insight into a time of significant social and economic change in Manchester.”

The digitisation project is set to be completed by December 2025, securing Piccadilly Radio’s place in Manchester’s history for many years to come.

Helen Featherstone, Director of England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:  “Local radio holds a special place in the hearts of many people in the North of England, so it is fantastic news, that thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to support the Manchester Central Library to ensure that its Piccadilly Radio collection is preserved for years to come. This investment will mean that more people can learn about our rich musical heritage, gain new skills in podcast production and cataloguing and hopefully inspire future broadcasters.”