Keep The Lights On

The Bristol Cable is one of the UK’s only independent, investigative local papers. And we just achieved our £60k membership target!

But we’re not stopping. Every new supporter helps us continue investigating, delivering proper independent journalism for Bristol.

Join today, as a monthly, annual, or Patron member – whatever you can afford.

Join today

Already a member? Increasing your contribution, or switching from monthly to annual, helps our financial security.

Membership benefits

 

Membership, from as little as £1/mo, makes you a proud co-owner of the Bristol Cable. No matter how much we pay we all get:

  • A vote in big decisions (at AGM/via callouts)
  • The ‘Cable Insider’ newsletter

READER

For £60/yr (£5/mo) or more, you get a vote, Cable Insider and:

  • Quarterly print edition delivered to your door
  • ‘Bristol Round-Up’ weekly newsletter (award-nominated!)
  • 10% discount on tickets to our events

SUPPORTER

You’re a local-news-sustainability devotee! For £120/yr (£10/mo) or more, you get all benefits PLUS:

  • 50% discount on tickets to our events
  • Early access to all our audio content

About us

For the past 10 years, the Bristol Cable has been a voice for the city.

Local news wasn’t working as it should, so we changed the narrative. Now, we’re powered by 2,500 people and growing.

We think reporting the issues on our doorstep matters. Because there, we can make change and spark a movement.

Help us keep the lights on where they’re needed for another 10 years. In our paper, online and on social media, we’ll help you stay in the know.

This is Bristol. This is the Bristol Cable. Find out more about us.

#JoinTheCable today.

FAQ

We hope the information below answers any questions you may have, but if you have further questions please get in touch at membership@thebristolcable.org.

How much should I pay?

No matter what you pay we operate a one member, one vote policy. We recommend one hour’s wages for full time employees.

Paying annually if you can, rather than monthly, also improves the Cable’s sustainability.

If you’re a high earner, consider giving more on behalf of those who can’t.

What does the Cable do with the money?

69% of our budget goes toward paying our staff a living wage (nice). Our budget is currently £375,000/yr (£7,200/wk) which, to produce quality journalism, is incredibly thrifty! We hope to increase it.

Here are some examples:

  • 1 member @£10/month = 1 article/yr
  • 3 @£10/month = 1 event
  • 235 @£10/month – 1 full-time salary
  • 1,050 @£10/month = 1 year-long investigation

 

Why are you asking for more than I give to a national paper?

You’ll not only be funding quality local journalism, but also forging a new, sustainable business model for local journalism. Locals don’t have the same membership pool to reach out to as nationals do, so we ask those who can contribute more to do so. Find out more.