The British Pop Archive has put a call out to complete its collection of City Life magazines.
Based at the John Rylands Library of the University of Manchester, the BPA holds more than 500 copies, but now it’s appealing to members of the public who may have editions stashed away.
“We would love to be able to grow this to hold a full run of this important Manchester title,” said a spokesperson for the BPA.
“December 2023 is the 40th anniversary of the magazine and it would be great if you can help us fill the gaps in our collection.”
If you happen to have any of the following issues, it would leave to hear from you: 300, 503, 523, 524, 525, 566 – 590, 592 onwards to December 2005.
The BPA has also announced series of talks, to be held at John Rylands Library, the first on 23rd November is a panel discussion about the evolution of independent press in the city.
As well as touching on City Life, it’ll also examine Manchester’s long history of independent and creative press, both printed and online. It will be chaired by Dr Abi Gilmore – Head of the School of Arts, Languages and Culture and will feature Kya Buller (Aurelia Magazine), Bob Dickinson (New Manchester Review), Joshi Herrmann (The Mill), Natasha Kay-Sportelli (Gulp Magazine) and Andy Spinoza (City Life).
On 25th November, it will mark the 40th anniversary of City Life with a free event, hosted by Spinoza, who was one of its founders.
The magazine launched in 1983 and was the starting point for the careers of various well-known writers, broadcasters and authors, such as Mark Kermode, Jon Ronson, Emma Unsworth, Gwendoline Riley, Matt Greenhalgh, John Robb and Danny Brocklehurst.
