Big Issue South West editor Tim Lezard, is undergoing a two-week consultancy period which might lead to his redundancy.
Lezard’s departure would leave no editorial staff in the South West office but it is thought that the magzine will continue to be produced from the Welsh edition’s office. The move is thought to be a result of company-wide cost-cutting.
Big Issue managing director Jeff Mitchell said: “We are midway through a consultation period on a possible restructure which will be finalised next Tuesday. Until then, no decisions will be taken.”
An insider said: “It is designed to save money but how are you going to increase sales in the South West by making it less relevant to its readers in the South West? This is the latest short-term cost-cutting exercise that, I fear, will accelerate the demise of regional Big Issues and see us become one national magazine.”
Lezard has been at the office for eight months and prior to that was freelancing. He has worked for The Citizen in Gloucester and the Western Daily Press. He is also a member of the NUJ’s national executive council and has edited the satirical cricket magazine JM96*.
Mary Stevens
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