Hi folks, Matt here with a quick operations update from us at Pellicle. As a reader supported, independent publication we’ve always believed that full transparency is the best way to operate, and this includes what’s happening behind the scenes.

During our panel discussions at IMBC a couple of weeks ago, Jonny and I had the chance to chat about the magazine and where we see it heading. After the weekend, Jonny told me he’d like to step back from Pellicle and focus on his increasingly busy role as head brewer at Newbarns Brewery in Edinburgh. Obviously I am gutted that I won’t be running a magazine with one of my best mates (at least, for a time) any longer but I wholly understand and respect Jonny’s decision, and you can read a full statement from him below.

I’d like to reassure all of our readers, supporters and subscribers that it’s business as usual at Pellicle. I am incredibly lucky to have the support of our associate editors Katie Mather and Lily Waite, who as a team ensure we maintain our consistency and continuity. The most important thing to us is to make sure you have a new feature to read on site every week. Those who’ve already signed up to our new weekly newsletter will have seen this in action, with Katie taking the lead on this, and I hope you’ll agree it’s already turning into something very special.

As an aside, our editorial retainer is a small pot, shared equally. With Jonny stepping back, it means his portion will now be equally divided between the remaining members of the team. If our subscriber rate grows enough, we’ll continue to support our editors by bumping this up when we can afford to.

One small change we will make is to our annual seasonal content. Due to a backlog of work in edit we won’t be publishing an annual list of Trendsetters & Trailblazers nor will I be recording a best of the year podcast (although I have something else planned instead, with the podcast due to return in a couple of weeks time). This is to ensure that we can deliver timely content each week in the lead up to Christmas, then take some downtime over the holidays, and return in the new year with even more excellent things to read and listen to.

I’ll leave it there, but not without first reminding you that Pellicle is 90% reader funded, thanks to our Patreon supporters. We’ll share more news about our plans for next year (and our fifth birthday celebrations!) soon, but until then if you find yourself on this website regularly, please consider signing up and pledging a small monthly donation. One thing we need to do urgently is increase our rates, so our contributors are fairly remunerated for their work, and we can only do that with your help. Thank you to those of you who already support us, and to our sponsors Loughran Brewers Select, who cover the other 10% of our operating costs.

Here’s Jonny:

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As of this week I am stepping back from my responsibilities at Pellicle to focus on my responsibilities at the brewery.

Five years ago Pellicle was just an idea and with the help of Matt, and eventually Lily and Katie, we have turned that nugget of an idea into a fully-fledged magazine with hundreds of supporters, readers and fans.

Starting and operating a magazine during a pandemic and cost of living crisis has been as difficult as it has rewarding. Personally, I have learned so much about myself working with this team—improving my writing, my public speaking, my photography and my editing skills—in the process.

However, my responsibilities now lie elsewhere. Not only do I want to be more present at my day job, but I want to carve out more time for myself in the evenings and find more time for hobbies and my relationships with others.

This could go on for a lot longer but for now I just want to say thank you to everyone who has ever read an article on Pellicle, to all of our Patreon subscribers, to the writers, to the photographers, the illustrators, the sponsors, to Matt, Katie, Lily, all my pals and family, and my partner, Han, who have all supported me through this venture.

It all started with a love for magazines and that’s where I still am after 5 full years of this. Keep reading the mag, keep supporting independent journalism, keep being kind to each other.

Jonny