Free newspaper Docklands News is back in print after a turbulent move from monthly to weekly frequency.
The 22-year-old paper will remain weekly with more focus on local news.
There will be no negative news such as muggings or robberies, but a strong emphasis on positive stories.
The paper closed in April and publisher Docklands Media wound up its business in June, after failing to pay invoices from eight temporary contract staff it took on to accommodate the move to become a weekly.
The closure, after just a few weeks, was due to lack of printing resources, according to managing editor Richard Alvin. He explained: “One of our unique selling points is that we are an all-colour newspaper, which is rare in the regional market.
“When we became weekly, we encountered ever-increasing problems.
As a company, we thought we would shelve the product while finding an appropriate print supplier and we had to let the staff go.”
Docklands News is now being published by Ivy Communications. The new paper is distributed free to 80,000 residential properties and businesses and has an editorial team of three.
“I believe that the editorial is as it needs to be now and the intention is to get it shortlisted for a regional award,” said Alvin.
Ivy Communications also bought City and Islington News from an independent publishing company and has completely revamped the title in the same model as Docklands News. A new team of four editorial staff has been taken on.
Sarah Lagan
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
