Skiddle Explained

Skiddle Ltd
Type:Private
Revenue:£100+ million (2021)
Num Employees:50-150
Foundation:2001
Location:Preston, Lancashire, UK
Num Locations:4 offices
Area Served:Europe
Homepage:https://www.skiddle.com
Founders:Ben Sebborn and Richard Dyer
Owner:Cofounders

Skiddle is a primary ticket outlet and online events guide based in the UK, with offices in Manchester, Liverpool, London and Preston dealing with event bookings, registrations, promotion and online ticket sales.

It concentrates its core business in the three main areas of gigs, clubs and festivals, plus lifestyle events such as food and drink, sports, days out and entertainment.

The company has a gross turnover in excess of £100 million and over 70 employees.

History

Skiddle was launched in May 2001 initially as a What's on Guide for Preston in Lancashire. It was incorporated as Skiddle Ltd in January 2006.[1] In February 2014, Skiddle acquired new 5000square feet premises in Longridge to support expansion.[2]

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.[3]

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.[4] [5]

Industry involvement

In 2013, Skiddle announced its white-label ticket shop, already in use by Mixmag,[6] would also be powering Debenhams' Box Office.[7] During October 2015, Skiddle was chosen as the official ticket website for the BBC Radio 1Xtra Live event in Leeds.[8]

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

Charity work

In 2011, Skiddle announced its sponsorship of the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (C.A.L.M).[13] [14] 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,[15] [16] 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.[17]

The total raised to date for charities is over £300,000.[18]

Awards

Skiddle has received a Hitwise Top 10 Award every month since 2008[19] 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".[20]

In February 2016, Skiddle won 'Best Ticketing Company' at the Event Production Awards in London.[21] [22]

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.[23] [24]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Skiddle Limited - Overview (free company information from Companies House) . CompaniesHouse.gov.uk . 29 November 2015.
  2. Web site: Skiddle.com expanding to Longridge . lep.co.uk . 29 November 2015.
  3. Web site: Box office app set to transform the event industry by boosting last-minute sales - Event Industry News . Event Industry News . 29 November 2015.
  4. Web site: Skiddle Teams up with University of Salford . 16 November 2015 . Manchester Evening News.
  5. Web site: University of Salford and Skiddle launch training programme to prepare students for working life University of Salford, Manchester . salford.ac.uk . 29 November 2015.
  6. Web site: Skiddle Inks Deal With Mixmag . Lancashire Business View.
  7. Web site: Skiddle Affiliates Get Ready for NYE . Skiddle Blog.
  8. Web site: BBC - 1Xtra Live Academy . BBC . 29 November 2015.
  9. News: Skiddle At Wickerman Festival . Lancashire Evening Post.
  10. News: BBC Radio Lancashire Introducing's Sean McGinty Supported by SKIDDLEBUS . Creative Lancashire.
  11. Web site: Press Release - The Bass Music Awards . The Bass Music Awards . 30 November 2015 . en-US.
  12. Web site: Skiddle to 3D print wellington boots on site in anticipation of rainy UK festival season . The Drum . 30 November 2015.
  13. Web site: Campaign Against Living Miserably Sponsored by Skiddle . SourceWire.
  14. Web site: CALM Sponsors: Skiddle . CALMZone.
  15. Web site: Skiddle . Anthony Nolan . 29 November 2015.
  16. Web site: Skiddle support is 'just the ticket' for saving lives . Anthony Nolan . 29 November 2015.
  17. Web site: Macmillan partnership with Skiddle.
  18. Web site: Nowell . David . 2021-05-18 . 19 million ticket sales - and Lancashire-based Skiddle is still growing . 2023-08-30 . Lancashire Post.
  19. Web site: Top 10 Hitwise Award for Skiddle . Hitwise.
  20. Web site: Red Rose Awards Shortlist . Red Rose Awards.
  21. Web site: Event Production Awards 2016 Winners.
  22. Web site: Skiddle named best ticketing company. 15 February 2016 .
  23. Web site: Skiddle in double triumph at Ticketing Technology awards.
  24. Web site: Skiddle wins two Ticketing Tech Awards. 6 April 2017 .