More than 300 local newspapers have been closed in the past ten years, according to Press Gazette research.
Johnston Press yesterday announced it had closed 11 free newspapers across the UK, meaning it has axed 22 titles since 2012.
Among them was free weekly the Northampton Mercury, which was 295 years old and claims to be the oldest UK newspaper with a proven record of continuous publication.
The closures come at a time when the UK regional press continues to be hit with widespread redundancies.
Related
Before the financial crash of 2008 the Newspaper Society estimated there were 13,000 journalists employed in the regional press. The trade body (now called the News Media Association) no longer keeps figures, but Press Gazette's preliminary research of Companies House figures kept by individual companies suggest that the current total may be half that figure.
Previous Press Gazette research found that 242 regional and local newspapers were closed between 2005 and 2011.
And at least 60 have been closed since 2012 – including 23 so far in 2015.
In the same period, Press Gazette has found just over 100 new newspapers launched. This year, for instance, Newsquest has launched four new newspapers or newspaper editions, and Tindle has launched five titles in London.
In contrast Trinity Mirror has closed more newspapers – 12 – than Johnston Press. It has also closed at least 22 since 2012.
According to the News Media Association there are 1,100 local newspaper titles in the UK.
Closed newspapers since 2012 (Press Gazette research)
| Title | Owner | Paid-for or free? | Month closure announced |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Enfield Gazette |
Tindle Newspapers | Paid | Jan-12 |
|
Cambridge First |
Archant | Paid | Mar-12 |
|
Falkirk & Grangemouth Advertiser |
Johnston Press | Free | Jun-12 |
|
Fife Leader |
Johnston Press | Free | Jun-12 |
|
Leeds Weekly News |
Johnston Press | Free | Jun-12 |
|
Pudsey Times |
Johnston Press | Free | Jun-12 |
|
West Lothian Herald & Post |
Johnston Press | Free | Jun-12 |
|
Chesterfield Advertiser |
Johnston Press | Free | Aug-12 |
|
Doncaster Advertiser |
Johnston Press | Free | Aug-12 |
|
Mansfield and Ashfield Observer |
Johnston Press | Free | Aug-12 |
|
Worksop Trader |
Johnston Press | Free | Aug-12 |
|
Thanet Times |
Local World | Paid | Aug-12 |
|
Kidderminster Chronicle |
Midland News Association | Free | Aug-12 |
|
Portsmouth Journal |
Johnston Press | Free | Oct-12 |
|
Streatham Guardian |
Newsquest | Free | Nov-12 |
|
Bedford Midweek |
Local World | Free | Jun-13 |
|
Oxford Star |
Newsquest | Free | Jun-13 |
|
Lambeth Post |
Tindle Newspapers | Free | Jul-13 |
|
The Liverpool Post |
Trinity Mirror | Paid | Dec-13 |
|
Ballyclare Gazette |
Alpha Newspaper Group | Free | Jan-14 |
|
Carrickfergus Advertiser |
Alpha Newspaper Group | Paid | Jan-14 |
|
Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Apr-14 |
|
Elmbridge Guardian |
Newsquest | Paid | May-14 |
|
Nuneaton & Bedworth Post |
Independent | Paid | Jul-14 |
|
Huntingdon/ St Ives & St Neots News & Crier |
Local World | Free | Aug-14 |
|
Royston Weekly News |
Local World | Free | Aug-14 |
|
Saffron Walden Weekly News |
Local World | Free | Aug-14 |
|
The Resident |
Johnston Press | Free | Oct-14 |
|
Burnley Citizen |
Newsquest | Free | Nov-14 |
|
Harrow Observer |
Trinity Mirror | Paid | Nov-14 |
|
Surrey Herald |
Trinity Mirror | Paid | Nov-14 |
|
Surrey Times |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Nov-14 |
|
The Bracknell Times |
Trinity Mirror | Paid | Nov-14 |
|
Wokingham and Bracknell Times |
Trinity Mirror | Paid | Nov-14 |
|
Woking Informer |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Nov-14 |
|
Reading Post |
Trinity Mirror | Paid | Nov-14 |
|
GetReading |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Nov-14 |
|
Formby Times |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Feb-15 |
|
Crosby Herald |
Trinity Mirror | Paid | Feb-15 |
|
Stockport Times East |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Feb-15 |
|
Stockport Times West |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Feb-15 |
|
Tameside Advertiser |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Feb-15 |
|
Glossop Advertiser |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Feb-15 |
|
Oldham Advertiser |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Feb-15 |
|
Salford Advertiser |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Feb-15 |
|
Advertiser Series |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Feb-15 |
|
Wilmslow Express |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Feb-15 |
|
Coventry Times |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Apr-15 |
|
Nuneaton Tribune |
Trinity Mirror | Free | Sep-15 |
|
Peterborough Citizen |
Johnston Press | Free | Oct-15 |
|
Norfolk Citizen |
Johnston Press | Free | Oct-15 |
|
Rugby Review |
Johnston Press | Free | Oct-15 |
|
Northampton Mercury |
Johnston Press | Free | Oct-15 |
|
Dronfield Advertiser |
Johnston Press | Free | Oct-15 |
|
Eckington Leader |
Johnston Press | Free | Oct-15 |
|
Peak Courier |
Johnston Press | Free | Oct-15 |
|
Sheffield Gazette |
Johnston Press | Free | Oct-15 |
|
South Elms Gazette |
Johnston Press | Free | Oct-15 |
|
South Bognor View |
Johnston Press | Free | Oct-15 |
|
Lutterworth Mail |
Johnston Press | Free | Oct-15 |
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