A new book titled Elsewhere: The Story of UK Skateboarding 1987–2002 by Neil Macdonald offers a raw and nostalgic look at the birth of British skateboarding culture. The collection, set for release on 28 May via Batsford Books, documents the pivotal era when UK skateboarding forged its own identity, distinct from the American scene.
The Gritty Reality of UK Skateboarding
Macdonald’s book is the result of a lifetime of collecting, researching, and interviewing key figures in UK skateboarding history. It captures the gritty, industrial backdrop that defined the sport in Britain, from NCP car parks to Victorian brick warehouses in the north. The book includes over 200 photographs, many previously unpublished, showcasing the raw energy and improvisation of skaters who turned urban landscapes into their playgrounds.
Key Locations and Characters
The photographs span from 1987 to 2002, highlighting iconic spots like Meanwhile 2 at Royal Oak skatepark in west London, South Bank in central London, and indoor parks in Barrow-in-Furness. Skaters featured include Geoff Rowley, Brian Sumner, Carl Shipman, and Curtis McCann, among others. Macdonald notes that many early cottage industries inspired by these skaters have since grown into multimillion-pound brands.
The British Identity
Macdonald emphasizes the uniqueness of the UK scene. “The gritty griminess emphasises the difference between American skateboarding and what things were like in the UK,” he says. The book’s cover, a shot of a broken window at a skatepark, sets the tone. The title Elsewhere itself comes from the common instruction from security guards to skaters: “Go elsewhere.”
From BMX to Skateboarding
The book also traces the cultural shift from BMX to skateboarding in the 1980s, influenced by films like Back to the Future. Skateboards were cheaper, more portable, and offered cool graphics that resonated with teenagers. This transition is captured in a 1987 photo of Martin Bernstein in Sheffield.
Preserving a Lost Era
Many of the photos in the book are “snaps” taken by skaters themselves, offering unfiltered glimpses into the reality of the sport. Macdonald hopes the book will preserve the memory of a time when skateboarding was a raw, underground subculture, before it became mainstream. “There are so many great photos from Liverpool,” he says. “Everything about this is so British, the light at sunset in the summer, the industrial background and the NCP signage.”
