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January 16, 2015updated 15 Dec 2016 12:31pm

Some 48 regional newspapers have closed since 2012 – but 39 have launched

At least 48 regional newspapers have closed since the start of 2012, according new research by Press Gazette.

However, 39 local newspapers launched in the same period, making a net reduction of nine in two years. This compares to previous Press Gazette research showing that, between 2005 and the end of 2011, there were 242 local press closures and 70 launches.

So overall, since 2005 there has been an estimated net reduction of 181 local newspapers in the UK.

Of the 47 local newspapers to close since the start of 2012, 43 per cent were paid-for titles.

Press Gazette’s research is based on analysis of coverage on this website and on Holdthefrontpage.

Two regional publications launched only to close within two years. The Seeker News in Dorset went into administration with £40,000 debts in October 2013, four months after its launch. The Fulham Resident launched in 2012, only to closed in 2014.

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Surrey, Cambridge and Berkshire were among the worst-hit areas for losing local print publications since 2012. Six publicatons closed in Surrey in 2014, including the Surrey Times, which was axed by Trinity Mirror along with six other titles in November 2014.

Liverpool saw several newspaper launches alongside the closure of the Liverpool Post by Trinity Mirror in December 2013. The media company launched four hyperlocal titles earlier in the year, covering Anfield, Kirkby, Maghull and Aintree, and Crosby and Bottle.

London has also seen an increase in the amount of local newspapers covering the city. Some 14 local publications have launched in the capital since 2012, the majority being paid weekly papers founded by Tindle Newspapers.

Since 2012, Johnston Press has axed at least 11 local newspapers, while Trinity Mirror has closed at least 10. Tindle Newspapers was the company which opened the most publications, launching 11 weeklies in London in three years.

Aside from closures, regional newspapers have stayed afloat by cutting costs. Many have closed offices or cut staff and since 2011 and ten regional dailies have radically cut costs and staff by switching to weekly publication. No regional dailies have closed over the last two years.

Title Launched/closed Date reported Frequency Cost
Burnley Citizen Closed 27/11/2014 Weekly Free
The Wokingham Times Closed 14/11/2014 Weekly Paid
The Bracknell Times Closed 14/11/2014 Weekly Paid
Surrey Herald Closed 14/11/2014 Weekly Paid
Surrey Times Closed 14/11/2014 Weekly Free
Woking Informer Closed 14/11/2014 Weekly Free
Harrow Observer Closed 14/11/2014 Weekly Paid
Herefordshire and Wye Valley Life Closed 04/06/2013 Monthly Paid
Worcestershire Life Closed 04/06/2013 Monthly Paid
Warwickshire Life Closed 04/06/2013 Monthly Paid
Shropshire Life Closed 04/06/2013 Monthly Paid
North East Life Closed 04/06/2013 Monthly Paid
Wiltshire Life Closed 04/06/2013 Monthly Paid
Elmbridge Guardian Closed 06/05/2014 Weekly Paid
Nuneaton & Bedworth Post Closed 30/07/2014 Monthly Paid
The Resident Closed 10/10/2014 Weekly Free
Carrickfergus Advertiser Closed 15/01/2014 Weekly Paid
Ballyclare Gazette Closed 15/01/2014 Weekly Free
Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle Closed 14/04/2014 Weekly Free
Woking News and Mail Closed 10/03/2014 Weekly Paid
Woking Review Closed 10/03/2014 Weekly Free
The Liverpool Post Closed 10/12/2013 Weekly Paid
Bedford Midweek Closed 26/06/2013 Weekly Free
Fulham Resident Closed 05/05/2014 Monthly Paid
Thanet Times Closed 02/08/2012 Weekly Paid
Royston Weekly News Closed 07/08/2014 Weekly Free
Saffron Walden Weekly News Closed 08/08/2014 Weekly Free
Huntingdon/ St Ives & St Neots News & Crier Closed 09/08/2014 Weekly Free
Cambridge First Closed 23/03/2012 Weekly Paid
Lambeth Post Closed 04/07/2013 Weekly Free
Fife Leader Closed 30/06/2012 Weekly Free
Falkirk & Grangemouth Advertiser Closed 30/06/2012 Weekly Free
West Lothian Herald & Post Closed 30/06/2012 Weekly Free
Leeds Weekly News Closed 30/06/2012 Weekly Free
Pudsey Times Closed 30/06/2012 Weekly Free
Mansfield and Ashfield Observer Closed 02/08/2012 Weekly Free
Worksop Trader Closed 03/08/2012 Weekly Free
Doncaster Advertiser Closed 04/08/2012 Weekly Free
Chesterfield Advertiser Closed 05/08/2012 Weekly Free
Kidderminster Chronicle Closed 20/08/2012 Weekly Free
Streatham Guardian Closed 15/11/2012 Weekly Free
Enfield Gazette Closed 25/01/2012 Weekly Paid
Oxford Star Closed 20/06/2013 Weekly Free
Portsmouth Journal Closed 29/10/2012 Weekly Free
The News Journal Launched 01/05/2014 Monthly Free
London Weekly News Launched 25/11/2014 Weekly Free
The Great Yarmouth and Gorleson Gazette Launched 01/01/2012 Weekly Free
The Pembrokeshire Herald Launched 01/07/2013 Weekly Paid
Swadlincote Post Launched 10/08/2012 Weekly Free
Westminster and Pimlico News Launched 25/11/2014 Weekly Free
Kensington News Launched 25/11/2014 Weekly Free
Chelsea News Launched 25/11/2014 Weekly Free
Your Local Paper Launched 25/03/2013 Weekly Free
Folkestone & Hythe Express Launched 11/10/2013 Weekly Paid
Wellingborough Extra Launched 18/04/2013 Fortnightly Paid
Kettering Extra Launched 19/03/2013 Fortnightly Paid
Corby Extra Launched 20/03/2013 Fortnightly Paid
Glossop Gazette Launched 01/08/2012 Monthly Free
Bootle Champion Launched 14/01/2012 Weekly Free
Cambridge Magazine Launched 01/10/2013 Monthly Paid
Scarborough Voice Launched 01/07/2012 Three-day-a-week Free
Streatham & South London Press Launched 08/06/2012 Weekly Paid
Brixton & South London Press Launched 08/06/2012 Weekly Paid
Wimbledon & South London Press Launched 08/06/2012 Weekly Paid
Wandsworth & South London Press Launched 08/06/2012 Weekly Paid
Dulwich & South London Press Launched 08/06/2012 Weekly Paid
Deptford & New Cross & South London Press Launched 08/06/2012 Weekly Paid
Forest Hill & Sydenham & South London Press Launched 08/06/2012 Weekly Paid
Anfield and Walton Star Launched 26/06/2013 Weekly Free
Maghull and Aintree Star Launched 26/06/2013 Weekly Free
Kirkby Star Launched 26/06/2013 Weekly Free
Crosby and Bootle Star Launched 26/06/2013 Weekly Free
The Aberdonian Launched 18/04/2013 Weekly Free
Fenland Eastern Daily Press Launched 10/09/2013 Daily Paid
Caerphilly Observer Launched 24/09/2013 Fortnightly Free
Port Talbot MagNet Launched 17/04/2013 Monthly Free
The Scarborough Review Launched 01/03/2013 Monthly Free
Cranbrook Herald Launched 14/09/2013 Monthly Free
Romford Gazette Launched 18/04/2012 Weekly Free
Grantham Target Launched 02/08/2015 Weekly Paid
The Croydon Citizen Launched 17/12/2013 Monthly Free
Fulham Resident Launched and closed 13/09/2012 & 05/05/2014 Monthly Paid
Seeker News Launched and closed 30/04/2013 and 07/08/2013 Fortnightly Free
GetReading closed 14/11/2014 free
Reading Post closed 14/11/2014 biweekly paid

Do you know any more regional publications that have opened or closed around you in the last three years? Let us know by emailing pged@pressgazette.co.uk

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

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