A free weekly newspaper, modelled on the award-winning The Hunts Post, has been launched in the Fenland area of Cambridgeshire.
Published by Archant Anglia, The Fenland Post is a 64-page standalone title with a 75:25 advertising/editorial ratio. It is a first for Fenland, as it is the only title to cover the whole of the district, including March, Wisbech, Chatteris and Wittlesey. The midweek paper has modelled its design on The Hunts Post, which is currently Archant’s Free Newspaper of the Year.
The paper will cover all major local stories, but said it will mainly focus on the positive news in the area.
Editor of the Wisbech Standard and the Cambs Times series, Brian Asplin, who will edit the paper, said: “We do not want to wallow in sadness and depression, but want to be upbeat and reflect the area. Fenland is becoming more dynamic and starting to buzz so we wanted to tap into that. We want to take a gentler approach, but if a major story breaks then we will certainly cover it.
“It is not intended to be a paper of record, as that is something covered by our paid-for Fridays.”
Archant Anglia has taken on extra sales and distribution staff as well as a new news editor and reporter.
The Fenland Post distributed its first batch of 37,500 copies on 7 July.
By Sarah Lagan
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