Local World ditches Northcliffe’s ‘This Is’ website network as new sites launch under newspaper mastheads

The new owner of Northcliffe – Local World – has begun the process replacing its network of "This Is" sites with new websites which appear under the newspaper mastheads.

The "This Is" stategy was criticised by some because it failed to capitalise on the strong local newspaper brands.

Last month seven Local World newspapers became the first to launch new websites: the Exeter Express & Echo, Bristol Post, Western Morning News, Gloucester Citizen, Derby Telegraph, Ely News and Hull Daily Mail

In total, the regional publisher is aiming to launch 80 new sites across the UK by the end of the summer.

Here are before and after shots of the Express & Echo, which has changed from www.thisisexeter.co.uk to www.expressandecho.co.uk.

Before:

After:

Of the seven titles to launch new websites, Press Gazette was able to access five of their posts announcing the move.

In total, across the Exeter Express & Echo, Bristol Post, Western Morning News, Gloucester Citizen and Derby Telegraph, 117 (mostly negative) comments were left under the announcements.

Here are the most best rated comments under each website's story:

Exeter Express & Echo: