What’s Doing was the newsletter of the North Manchester Branch (which covered an area now split between Salford and District branch and Central Manchester branch) although it often covered pub and brewery news from across the region.
What’s Doing was published monthly for over 30 years from November 1975 to August 2006 – a total of 369 issues. Early issues were a basic 4 page newsletter, expanding to a full magazine in later years.
Its editor throughout its history was Neil Richardson, a local printer and publisher who became an authority on local history extending way beyond its pubs.
Following Neil’s death in August 2006, North Manchester branch established the Neil Richardson Trophy which is awarded annually to the Branch pub chosen to represent the traditional values of a northern pub.
Neil and his wife Sue have also been recognised for their services to local history across Manchester and Salford. Read more here.
On this page you will find scans of every issue ever produced. A few issues are unfortunately missing the four page insert guides to pubs serving real ale in different areas of the city but otherwise are complete.
Thanks to Don Chattwood, Neil Worthington, David White, Steve Davis, Lawrence Delaney and Caroline O’Donnell for their work on the What’s Doing archive.
Note that some of the writing and advertising reflects the attitudes of the time and, on occasion, includes content that would not be acceptable today.
Click on the thumbnails to view in “flippable” form. Issues can be downloaded as PDF files from the flippable viewer or from the Downloads section at bottom of page.
All content ©Campaign For Real Ale Limited, 1975 – 2006.
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
1975
1976
1977
Note: There was no July ’77 issue, it was replaced by a Christmas issue.
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
October 1998 Issue is currently missing. We hope to have this in place by early 2022.
1999
June 1999 Issue is currently missing. We hope to have this in place by early 2022.
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004