Dr Andrew Hobbs will discuss Preston’s newspaper industry in the 19th century
A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) senior lecturer will be lecturing in a bar, as part of a series of free talks in Preston.
Journalism historian Dr Andrew Hobbs will be discussing Preston’s newspaper industry in the 19th century.
His talk, entitled ‘When Fishergate was Preston’s Fleet Street’, will look at the time when up to six newspapers were published from Preston’s high street, all in competition with each other.
They were among more than 50 newspapers and magazines published in the then town during the 1800s.
The talk is taking place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 13 March as part of the Lost Lectures series.
"Local newspapers were a big part of Preston’s history, and there are a lot of stories attached to them"
— Journalism historian Dr Andrew Hobbs
Andrew is a senior lecturer in journalism and a former reporter himself. His prize-winning 2018 book on 19th century local newspapers and their readers, ‘A Fleet Street in Every Town’, is now the standard reference work on the topic.
He said: “My friends might say I’m always lecturing them in bars, but this time I’ve actually been asked.
“Local newspapers were a big part of Preston’s history, and there are a lot of stories attached to them. Some readers responded to what was printed very strongly - one publisher had a cannon fired at his premises, and the editor of another paper was shot at through his window. There was also intense rivalry and skulduggery between the papers.”
The free Lost Lectures are hosted by Lost Bar & Pizzeria, Market Street West, behind Friargate, on Wednesday at 7.30pm and attendees do not need to book a ticket.
