The time has come — a big announcement from us

We're launching our first reader-funded stories next week, taking us a step closer to creating a proper news mag for Londoners

Morning — well, we’re finally ready. Roughly a year or so after we sent out our first London Spy newsletter, we’re about to take the plunge.

Next week, we’re launching paid subscriptions to the Spy on Substack, and with it our first run of reader-funded stories. We can’t lie, we’re equal parts thrilled and nervous. But more than anything, we’re excited to share all the in-depth reporting from around our city that we’ve been putting together over the past few months. It’s a whole new tier of Spy stuff — on top of our usual free journalism, of course. We’ll still be sending out our regular schedule of roundups and features, but our paid subscribers will be getting extra stories about London each week. And hopefully more soon.

We’re kicking things off on Thursday with Back from the brink: Inside Brixton Academy’s crush recovery, a big read that’ll only be available in full to our paid subscribers. Last Friday, the south London venue held its first gig since the crowd crush in December 2022, which cost two people their lives, and seriously injured more. We sent a reporter to the opening night for a vibe check, after spending the past few weeks piecing together how exactly the Academy managed to come back from the seemingly impossible. It’s a saga that goes from tragedy, to a stalling investigation, to even allegations of corruption — a true worst-case scenario that had knock-on impacts for venues across the capital. 

And that’s just the start — in the weeks after our paid subscribers can expect big reads on London’s pub tycoons and their boozer empires; why one of the best views in London is blocked off; Freemasons and London’s fire brigade; the new force ruining London clubs; the battle to be London’s oldest church; inside the world of London’s toilet attendants; and an alleged ‘cult’ on London’s university campuses.

We had a hunch these stories were out there somewhere in London, just waiting for someone to do the digging, back when we made our first callout for freelancers. It’s thanks to the people who’ve already pledged to the Spy that we’ve been able to commission and pay local journalists to do what they do best. We’re forever grateful — but we need more of you, to turn this into a sustainable model.

If funding well-researched, balanced local journalism was easy, then London’s existing media wouldn’t be in the state that it’s in. What we think is missing in the city’s ad-driven landscape is journalism which takes time. In-depth reporting that can take weeks, months if needed. Not local ‘churnalism’, turned around in an hour or two. We think reader funding is the way forward, as we hope our first run of stories proves.

There’s still time to pledge a Spy subscription, so that you’re signed up ready ahead of next week. If you need a bit more convincing though, here’s a few of the messages we’ve had from Londoners who’ve already pledged to the Spy:

• “Love this! Please do keep it up. Makes me feel much more connected to the place I live. One of the very few newsletters I actually read”

• “Your work is some of the best reporting I’ve read about London for a long time”

• “No one else is telling the real stories of London. Your journalism is fascinating and thorough. Mainstream media rarely digs deep enough to investigate a story, as there is always an emphasis on the hot new thing”

• “Your commitment to accurate journalism and investigating stories that impact London’s communities is invaluable”

• “I really appreciate the considered, thoughtful journalism”

• “I feel much more connected to the city since I started reading the London Spy”

• “I want to support you because you write the stories nobody else writes”

• “I care about all of London, not just the borough I happen to live in!” 

We’ll be turning payments on Substack officially on Monday. If you’re having trouble figuring out how to subscribe — or have had second thoughts about your pledge — we’re just an email away. Just reply to this email or drop us a message at londonspy@substack.com and we’ll be in touch ASAP.

Til then, we’re back in your inboxes with another round-up at the weekend — the last before Londoners go to the polls in the mayoral election.

Cheers,

The Spy team 🕵️