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October 9, 2012

Johnston Press axes four free titles

By William Turvill

Johnston Press has axed four free newspapers in the Midlands and South Yorkshire this week.

The Mansfield and Ashfield Observer, Worksop Trader, Doncaster Advertiser and Chesterfield Advertiser have each been published for the last time as the publisher switches its focus solely to the paid-for titles in those areas.

No job losses have been incurred as a result of the closures.

John Bills, the managing director for the area, said: “Following an extensive review of the publishing strategy in Mansfield, Worksop, Doncaster and Chesterfield the free titles in each town will close week commencing 1st October.

"The paid for titles – the Mansfield  and Ashfield Chad, Worksop Guardian, Doncaster Free Press and the Derbyshire Times are successful, highly regarded newspapers of record in their respective towns and their websites will be the focus of our publishing activity.

“All our advertising customers who used the free titles have been offered alternative choices within our range of titles and websites.”

According to the latest ABC figures, the free papers have a combined distribution of more than 140,000.

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The paid-for titles, which now take priority in their respective towns, have a combined circulation of around 95,000, according to the latest ABCs.

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