View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Comment
October 7, 2015

295-year-old Northampton newspaper, once named as ninth oldest in the world, closed by Johnston Press

By William Turvill

The Northampton Mercury has been closed by Johnston Press after 295 years.

The Mercury was founded in 1720 by William Dicey, according to the book 'Local History In England'.

And the title was named as the ninth oldest newspaper in the world by the book 'Top 10 for Men: Over 250 lists that matter'.

In 2011, the Mercury's website, which it shares with the Northampton Chronicle, reported it "was the UK’s oldest newspaper with a proven record of continuous publication".

The Northampton Mercury was among 11 free newspapers that Johnston Press announced the closure of today.

According to the website British Newspapers Online, it was bought by Johnston Press from Emap Newspapers in 1996.

The last time the title was audited, in 2012, it had a free circulation of 44,000.

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

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