The New European, launched as a “pop-up paper” for Remain voters, is to continue beyond its initial four-week run after exceeding sales targets and turning a profit, according to publisher Archant.
The group today confirmed the fourth issue of the weekly title would not be its last and said the paper would “continue to publish on a rolling basis” as long as readers wanted to buy it.
The new title’s retail distribution is focused on areas shown to have voted for the UK to remain in the European Union at the referendum on 23 June, which resulted in a victory for the Leave campaign.
Aimed at the 48 per cent of Remainers, it claimed ahead of its launch on 8 July to offer a focal point for “those feeling dismayed and disenfranchised by Brexit”.
It has so far attracted contributions from high-profile figures including former Number 10 spin doctor Alastair Campbell, author Howard Jacobson and Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland.
Matt Kelly, Archant’s chief content officer and launch editor of The New European, said: “We’re thrilled at the reaction and support we’ve seen for this most unorthodox newspaper launch.
“We will continue to publish into the zeitgeist until that moment passes.”
The New European has a cover price of £2, in line with national Sunday newspaper titles.
A spokesperson for regional publisher Archant was unable to provide Press Gazette with distribution or sales figures.
However the company has said its “focus remains primarily on its local newspapers”, which include flagship daily title the Eastern Daily Press in Norwich.
It added: “Pop-up publishing experiments like The New European demonstrate its commitment to becoming the most progressive community media business in the UK.”
Will Hattam, Archant’s chief marketing officer, said: “Pop-up publishing is something that only Archant could have delivered.
“We have the scale to produce a quality print product for a national audience, but also the agility to turn things around fast and cost-effectively enough to profitably service a community that’s popped into existence overnight.
“We’ll only produce the paper for as long as our readers still want it.”
Shortlived national title The New Day published 50 issues over two months before closing.
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