The Accrington Observer is celebrating its highest sales in 20 years with circulation figures breaking the 15,000 barrier.
Mervyn Kay, who has edited the Observer for 25 years, is delighted about the sales success and although he admits he can’t pinpoint the winning formula he attributed much of it to the 2002 redesign.
The new lifestyle section, which includes an alcopop competition, has attracted younger readers and increased coverage of Accrington Stanley FC since they were promoted to the Nationwide League conference has also been a help.
Kay thought that coverage of the recent faked torture pictures of soldiers in the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment may have raised people’s awareness of the paper. He said: “I think we have a great product and a terrific team but I never expected to hit the 15,000 mark so soon.
“Twenty-five years is a long stint as an editor, I have seen plenty of changes and I am really proud of the paper as it is.”
The Observer is part of the Greater Manchester Weekly Newspapers group.
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