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In April 1974, Greater Manchester welcomed its newest radio station with the playing of “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys, marking the birth of Piccadilly Radio 261. This radio station quickly became a significant presence throughout Manchester, carving out a reputation as a beloved source of news, music, and entertainment. Piccadilly Radio, the city’s first independent broadcaster—launching four years after BBC Radio Manchester—was instrumental in launching the careers of noted broadcasters including Andy Peebles, Chris Evans, Becky Want, and Mike Sweeney.
Despite its eventual success, Piccadilly Radio’s beginnings were challenging. The station aired during a difficult period marked by political turmoil, energy shortages, and the implementation of the three-day working week, which caused widespread closures and blackout measures across the country. Jim Hancock, the station’s first employee, recalled that the 1974 environment was grim, admitting it almost jeopardized the station’s launch. Tony Ingham, one of the station’s founders, described the launch day as somewhat makeshift, with only one-and-a-half studios completed, no heating, and presenters afforded just a couple of weeks to prepare. He recalled, “Everything was held together with Sellotape and string initially.”
For many aspiring broadcasters, Piccadilly Radio held a powerful allure. Mike Shaft, who later became the host of the soul show “Taking Care of Business,” was an avid listener even before joining the station. He admired Andy Peebles’ soul show so much that he once told his wife he doubted he would ever work at Piccadilly while Peebles was on air. When Peebles left for Radio 1, Shaft quickly seized the opportunity, recalling the excitement when he was invited for an interview: “Me and my missus were both jumping around in our flat, it was great times.” Following his initial break, Shaft continued his radio career at BBC Radio Manchester for two decades, retiring in 2022.
Piccadilly Radio was also deeply embedded in Manchester’s sporting culture, branding itself as “First with News; First with Sport.” An infamous incident occurred in 1981 related to the League Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Liverpool. Tony Ingham recounted how, two nights before the game, he and a colleague were arrested by armed police on suspicion of terrorism after scouting the venue to set off celebratory fireworks, spending two hours detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Despite such hurdles, the station gained a loyal following, partly because it was highly visible and engaged with the local community. Jim Hancock highlighted the importance of Piccadilly’s location in Piccadilly Gardens and its practice of dispatching a van with DJs to community events, making the station a constant presence in Manchester life.
The spirit of the station and its staff’s camaraderie contributed greatly to its success and enduring legacy. Tony Ingham observed that those who worked at Piccadilly shared an unspoken understanding of how the station should operate, which fostered a unique culture that stood the test of time. This sense of belonging and impact was echoed by the presenters who reunited recently to unveil a commemorative plaque at the original studios’ location. Piccadilly Radio’s archives have also been digitized and are accessible to the public at Manchester’s Central Library, preserving the rich history of what many consider one of Manchester’s most influential radio institutions
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