Skiddle

Skiddle was launched in May 2001 initially as a What's on Guide for Preston in Lancashire.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}} It was incorporated as Skiddle Ltd in January 2006.{{Cite web |title=Skiddle Limited - Overview (free company information from Companies House) |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/05688116 |website=CompaniesHouse.gov.uk |access-date=29 November 2015}} In February 2014, Skiddle acquired new {{convert|5000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} premises in Longridge to support expansion.{{Cite web |title=Skiddle.com expanding to Longridge |url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news/business/business/skiddle-com-expanding-to-longridge-1-6492651 |website=lep.co.uk |access-date=29 November 2015}}

In August 2015, Skiddle launched an iOS app with mobile 'box office' functionality. The app works with Bluetooth printers and iZettle card-readers, allowing tickets to be purchased and printed closer to gig start times.{{Cite web |title=Box office app set to transform the event industry by boosting last-minute sales - Event Industry News |url=http://eventindustrynews.co.uk/event-technology-news/uks-first-box-office-app-set-to-transform-the-event-industry-by-boosting-last-minute-sales/ |website=Event Industry News |access-date=29 November 2015}}

In November 2015, the firm announced an intern program with the University of Salford, with the aim of giving students insights into the industry and to develop journalism skills.{{cite web |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/media/skiddle-teams-up-university-salford-10451708 |title=Skiddle Teams up with University of Salford |date=16 November 2015 |publisher=Manchester Evening News}}{{Cite web |title=University of Salford and Skiddle launch training programme to prepare students for working life {{!}} University of Salford, Manchester |url=http://www.salford.ac.uk/news1/university-of-salford-and-skiddle-launch-training-programme-to-prepare-students-for-working-life |website=salford.ac.uk |access-date=29 November 2015}}

File:Skiddle Bus.png

In 2013, Skiddle announced its white-label ticket shop, already in use by Mixmag,{{cite web |url=http://www.lancashirebusinessview.co.uk/skiddle-inks-deal-with-mixmag-24350/ |title=Skiddle Inks Deal With Mixmag |publisher=Lancashire Business View}} would also be powering Debenhams' Box Office.{{cite web |url=http://blog.skiddle.com/skiddle-affiliates-get-ready-for-nye/ |title=Skiddle Affiliates Get Ready for NYE |publisher=Skiddle Blog}} During October 2015, Skiddle was chosen as the official ticket website for the BBC Radio 1Xtra Live event in Leeds.{{Cite web |title=BBC - 1Xtra Live Academy |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3DW6LZDlgWYfJ67DBQ1Gg1z/1xtra-live-academy |work=BBC |access-date=29 November 2015}}

Skiddle has sponsored a range of festivals, tents and gigs mainly in the UK.

• In 2005, the firm sponsored its first dance tent at The Wickerman Festival.{{cite news |url=http://www.lep.co.uk/lifestyle/going_out_2_1882/skiddle_at_wickerman_1_756294 |title=Skiddle At Wickerman Festival |work=Lancashire Evening Post}}
• At the 2010 RockNess Festival, the firm introduced the SKIDDLEBUS, a multimedia broadcast bus for live coverage allowing festival-goers to upload their content. The bus is now a regular feature at UK festivals as well as being used by the BBC.{{cite news |url=http://www.creativelancashire.org/uploads/flyer.pdf |title=BBC Radio Lancashire Introducing's Sean McGinty Supported by SKIDDLEBUS |publisher=Creative Lancashire}}
• Skiddle sponsored the Bass Music Awards in 2013, its inaugural year, and continued this sponsorship through 2015.{{Cite web |title=Press Release - The Bass Music Awards |url=http://thebassmusicawards.com/index.php/press-release/ |work=The Bass Music Awards |access-date=30 November 2015 |language=en-US}}
• In 2015, Skiddle attended the Isle of Wight Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals and Creamfields, providing up to 10,000 pairs of 3D-printed Wellington boots to attendees.{{Cite web |title=Skiddle to 3D print wellington boots on site in anticipation of rainy UK festival season |url=http://www.thedrum.com/news/2015/03/31/skiddle-3d-print-wellington-boots-site-anticipation-rainy-uk-festival-season |work=The Drum |access-date=30 November 2015}}

In 2011, Skiddle announced its sponsorship of the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (C.A.L.M).{{cite web |url=http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=53629 |title=Campaign Against Living Miserably Sponsored by Skiddle |publisher=SourceWire}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thecalmzone.net/sponsors/skiddle/|title=CALM Sponsors: Skiddle |work=CALMZone}} A checkout donation scheme on the Skiddle website has helped to raise money for several UK charities. A donation in 2015 for over £15,000 was presented to the Anthony Nolan trust,{{Cite web |title=Skiddle |url=http://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/partner-us/our-corporate-partners/skiddle |website=Anthony Nolan |access-date=29 November 2015}}{{Cite web |title=Skiddle support is 'just the ticket' for saving lives |url=http://www.anthonynolan.org/news/2014/12/17/skiddle-support-just-ticket-saving-lives |website=Anthony Nolan |access-date=29 November 2015}} with previous benefactors including Macmillan and the Disasters Emergency Committee.

In 2016, Skiddle announced it would be aiming to raise £100,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of a colleague who died from cancer. This target was later increased to £300,000.{{Cite web |url=https://www.macmillan.org.uk/about-us/working-with-us/corporate-partners/our-partners/skiddle |title=Macmillan partnership with Skiddle}}

The total raised to date for charities is over £300,000.{{Cite web |last=Nowell |first=David |date=2021-05-18 |title=19 million ticket sales - and Lancashire-based Skiddle is still growing |url=https://www.lep.co.uk/business/consumer/19-million-ticket-sales-and-lancashire-based-skiddle-is-still-growing-3240648 |access-date=2023-08-30 |website=Lancashire Post}}

Skiddle has received a Hitwise Top 10 Award every month since 2008{{cite web |url=http://www.hitwise.com/uk/resources/top-ten-award?action=confirm&market=uk&sDomain=www.skiddle.com&iDate=2010&iCatnum=233&Cal=1&semi= |title=Top 10 Hitwise Award for Skiddle |work=Hitwise}} and in August 2011 Skiddle was awarded the Hitwise Top 6 Award, making it one of the most viewed websites in the UK within its category.

In March 2012, Skiddle was awarded 'Online Business of The Year' by the Lancashire Business Review's "Red Rose Awards".{{cite web |url=http://www.redroseawards.co.uk/shortlist.htm |title=Red Rose Awards Shortlist |publisher=Red Rose Awards}}

In February 2016, Skiddle won 'Best Ticketing Company' at the Event Production Awards in London.{{cite web |url=http://www.eventproductionawards.com/2016-epa-winners/ |title=Event Production Awards 2016 Winners}}{{cite web |url=https://blog.promotioncentre.co.uk/weve-won-skiddle-named-best-ticket-agency-at-event-production-awards/ |title=Skiddle named best ticketing company|date=15 February 2016 }}

In April 2017, Skiddle was awarded with two Ticketing Technology Awards, for Customer Service and Moving On Up, recognising recent innovation and focus on customer satisfaction.{{cite web |url=http://www.musicweek.com/live/read/ticket-agency-skiddle-in-double-triumph-at-ticketing-technology-awards/068174 |title=Skiddle in double triumph at Ticketing Technology awards}}{{cite web |url=https://blog.promotioncentre.co.uk/skiddle-wins-two-ticketing-tech-awards/ |title=Skiddle wins two Ticketing Tech Awards|date=6 April 2017 }}

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{Official website|http://www.skiddle.com/}}

{{City of Preston culture}}

Category:Music magazines published in the United Kingdom

Category:Companies based in the City of Preston

Category:Entertainment companies established in 2001

Category:Listings magazines

Category:Online retailers of the United Kingdom

Category:Ticket sales companies

Category:Magazines established in 2001