View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
June 24, 2013

Local World closes weekly newspapers in Loughborough and Bedford

By Gavriel Hollander

Local World has closed two of its newest weekly newspapers.

The Loughborough Mercury, a sister title to the Leicester Mercury that launched last October with a print run of 7,000, released its final edition last week.

Two freelance reporters that worked exclusively on the Loughborough title have been let go, although it is thought there are no redundancies among permanent Mercury staffers.

The title had a 45p cover price and, at the time of its launch, pledged to dedicate ten news pages specifically to news from the town distinct from the main Leicester edition.

The Leicester Mercury is one of Local World’s biggest regional dailies, with circulation averaging around 42,000.

David Simms, Leicester Publisher at Local World, said: “We have decided to close The Loughborough Mercury following a publishing review of the Leicester Mercury Media Group portfolio. Former readers are still able to get news and information in the Leicester Mercury every weekday and online at LeicesterMercury.co.uk."

The demise of the Loughborough Mercury comes in the wake of the first newspaper closure from the group since it was formed through the merger of Northcliffe Media and Iliffe News and Media last year.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Bedford Midweek, which launched just over a year ago, will publish its final edition this week  before being merged with Bedfordshire on Sunday. The closure will not result in any redundancies, with all staff moving over to its sister title.

Mike Richardson, managing director at Local World subsidiary LSN Media, said: “We will retain many of the best ideas from Bedford Midweek in our Sunday publication and readers will still be able to get up to date news and information every day at bedfordshire-news.co.uk.”

Topics in this article : ,

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

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network