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.
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.”
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