Lee Mack's sitcom Not Going Out is marking its 20th anniversary, a remarkable outcome given that the BBC axed it in 2009 after only three series. The climbdown came after pressure from furious fans, demonstrating the power of public campaigns.
Broadcasting and culture saved by fans
BBC Radio 6 Music was earmarked for closure in 2010 amid budget cuts, but tens of thousands protested, with David Bowie among those who objected. St Pancras station in London was saved from demolition in 1967 after campaigner John Betjeman, later Poet Laureate, called British Rail's plans a "criminal folly". The station gained listed status on November 2, 1967, ten days before demolition was due to start.
Cadbury Wispa chocolate bars were discontinued in 2003, but 150,000 Facebook users demanded their return, and they were saved in 2007. Bletchley Park, the wartime codebreaking site, was saved in 1992 after plans to build 300 houses and a shopping mall were fought off by veterans and volunteers. It now houses a museum.
Food and drink revivals
Heinz Salad Cream faced scrapping in 1999 due to sliding sales, and again in 2018 when the company considered renaming it. Suggestions included Sandwich Cream and Fish Finger Sauce, but the original name stayed. Walkers Worcester Sauce crisps, scrapped in 2023, were revived in 2024 after a petition, with a huge blow-up crisp packet floated down the River Severn past Worcester Cathedral.
Burton's Fish 'n' Chips biscuits returned to stores in 2014 after a poll asked which defunct snack product people wanted revived. Opal Fruits, renamed Starburst in 1998, have been reissued as limited editions in 2008, 2020, 2021 and 2024.
Icons and institutions preserved
Covent Garden market in London was saved in 1973 after campaigners got over 250 buildings listed. The K6 red telephone box was saved in 1987 after heritage groups helped protect thousands of kiosks. The Flying Scotsman locomotive was secured for the National Collection in 2004, helped by train-mad schoolchildren.
The 100 Club in London was saved in 2011 after Paul McCartney played a benefit gig, a petition drew 19,000 signatures, and Converse stepped in with sponsorship. The Routemaster bus was retired from regular service in 2005, but public outcry led to heritage routes with a small fleet in central London.
Sport and entertainment rescues
Subbuteo, the table football game, was saved in 2012 after clubs and collectors refused to let it die. Ripper Street was axed by the BBC in 2013 after two series, but over 40,000 fans signed a petition and co-funding from Amazon earned it a stay of execution. Roy of the Rovers, the football comic, was shut in 1995 but reappeared in a graphic novel reboot in 2018.
Formby's red squirrels in Merseyside were brought back from near extinction by volunteers and the National Trust using monitoring, feeding and predator control. Hastings Pier was saved in 2016 after a 2010 fire, though the rebuilding charity later went bust and the pier was sold privately, reopening in 2019. The Red Arrows have faced repeated axing threats in 2007 and 2013, but MPs and the public pushed back each time. Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club was saved in 2007 when fans campaigned for over a decade for a new stadium after the club's ground was sold in 1995. The Amex was approved in 2007, opened in 2011, and the club now celebrates its 125th anniversary in the Premier League.
