Pig City Skates are the oldest running skate brand in the UK, rolling since 1976
We’ve been repping the UK skate scene for over five decades — making our mark with quality boards, clothing, and merch, all proudly designed in the UK.
Pig City has been riding strong since the heydays of the 1970s skate scene. Born out of Brighton’s gritty streets and the constant hassle from the police, the name Pig City was a rebellious badge of honour. Skaters made the most of a few legendary local spots: The Wall behind Churchill Square, The Cage under the arches Kings Road packed with fiberglass ramps, and the infamous Blue Bowl. For the concrete-obsessed, The Barn in Southwick offered a gnarly marbalite blue-tiled pool and mini bowl, sessioned by Brighton legends like Mad Mark Baker, Jock Patterson, Tim Dunkerley, Steve “Greek” Karous, the Kellner brothers, Twiggy, Nelly, Neil Allen, Andi Barnard and many more.
Rough wooden ramps were scattered across the area — from the rickety mini in Woodingdean to a backyard halfpipe in Saltdean.
In the late 1970's Mark Baker and Jock Patterson traveled to Calaforina and skated with the Dog Town crew repping the Pig City brand state side
Mad Mark Baker joined Tony Alva in 1979 on a Europen tour shredding the ramps and pools all over Europe
The 1980s saw the birth of The Level and its now-iconic vert ramp, built thanks to relentless effort from Andy Binns (RIP), who rallied the council and local businesses for support. Nearby, PC’s Hot Shop, ran by Andy Binns (RIP), Justin Ashby and Pat Newnham, became the heartbeat of the scene. The Level quickly became a required stop for visiting UK and international skaters — including the Bones Brigade in 1989 — earning its place in mags and videos of the era.
Pig City’s homegrown crew was stacked: Justin “Pasty” Ashby, Andy Binns (RIP), Don Brown, Ghandi (RIP), Fez (RIP), John Mitchell, Cliff “Heartman” Cox, Simon Levine, Luke McKirdy, Mark “Knocker” Collins (RIP), Steve McGrath and many others. By the late ’80s, the OG vert crew had become the UK team for Etnies, smashing through Europe with their loud, raw style. Their motto?
“Destructive and loud, hated but proud.”
That spirit lives on.
Notable Pig City exports include freestyle legend Don Brown, who went pro for Vision before creating the footwear empire behind Etnies, éS, and Emerica. Ian Deacon co-founded Deathbox, later launching Bash Skateboards, and eventually became one of the masterminds behind Flip Skateboards.
Pig City has supported UK skaters across five decades, backing talent that tears up streets, vert ramps, parks, and bowls. We’ve stayed true to our roots while championing the evolution of the UK scene, helping drive community events and skating culture nationwide.
Today, thanks to a new generation of creative skaters, fresh park builds, and the rebirth of The Level and Hove Lagoon, Pig City continues to thrive — with more people skating than ever. There’s been an explosion in girls’ skateboarding, and the older heads are still ripping, aging disgracefully and proudly.
Respect to everyone who’s ever ridden with Pig City spirit — whether you’re Brighton born or from far beyond. And eternal props to those skaters who are no longer with us. Your legacy lives on.
