View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Northcliffe closes Somerset free weekly paper

By Owen Amos

Northcliffe is closing a 23-year-old newspaper in Somerset and making seven staff redundant.

The Weston & Worle News, a free weekly for the Weston Super-Mare area, will print for the final time on Thursday.

It had a circulation of 38,289 in the first half of 2008, according to ABC.

Some staff have taken new jobs in Northcliffe, but seven have been made redundant – including the Weston & Worle News’s three reporters.

The paper was produced in Clevedon, home of the Clevedon Mercury, another free weekly.

Bristol News & Media managing director Dawna Stickler said: “It is a very sad day when newspapers close and we have looked very hard at alternative measures to try and prevent this decision.

“The Weston & Worle News has been serving its community for 23 years. However, I can assure all that the long established, award-winning Clevedon Mercury is not affected by this decision and will continue to prosper and grow.”

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

This month, Northcliffe annouced its 2008 profit fell by £25m to £68m last year.

Property advertising revenue fell 22 per cent, motors advertising fell 12 per cent, and recruitment advertising fell 11 per cent.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network