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December 19, 2014

Local World closes two local titles: Free Burton Advertiser goes and Uttoxeter titles to ‘merge’

By William Turvill

Local World has announced the closures of two regional newspaper titles. (Picture: Shutterstock)

The free Burton Advertiser, a sister title to the Burton Mail, published its last edition this week.

And Local World said the Uttoxeter Post and Times will be no more from 7 January as it merges into the Uttoxeter Advertiser. The title will be called the Uttoxeter Advertiser.

The publisher said no jobs would be lost as a result of the closures.

According to ABC, the weekly, paid-for Uttoxeter Post and Times recorded an average circulation of 2,433 in 2013. The town's Advertiser's circulation is not audited by ABC.

The daily, paid-for Burton Mail recorded an average circulation of 10,603 in 2013.

The National Union of Journalists condemned the closures. Chris Morley, Northern and Midlands organiser, said: "The loss of any title, particularly those that contain unique content and that fight for sales to readers in their community, is to be regretted.

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"It is a relief that these closures do not come with staff losing their jobs, but I think it is important that companies looking to end publications justify their decision to the communities they were happy to take circulation and advertising revenue from for years. It is not good enough to airbrush them suddenly from history.

"There is also the possibility of opening up use of the titles to others who might be able to make a go of it – a principle the NUJ is pursuing through the Localism Act to make local newspapers able to come under the Community Asset Transfer process whereby local bidders are encouraged to come forward."

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