Bristol Post relaunch promises to accentuate the positive as paper stops payment for reviewers

Local World title the Bristol Post has relaunched this week, with an increased focus on lifestyle content.

In a letter to readers on Monday, editor Mike Norton said the paper would be “bright, modern and aimed more at celebrating the city and the success of its people than accentuating what is negative about Bristol”.

The letter continued: “No matter how much people think they know Bristol, the new Bristol Post strives to find new things for them to do, food for them to eat and places for them to visit, while providing expert insight into shops, shows, products and performances.”

Despite the renewed focus on lifestyle features, the Bristol Post has opted to stop paying freelances for reviews.

Features editor Tim Davey this week sent an email to freelance reviewers informing them of the change.

He wrote: “I have decided that we will no longer pay for reviews. This will take effect from October 1.

“We will still continue to send out invites to review and, as normal, you will receive two tickets to attend the event.

“Of course, all outstanding, previously authorised, review payments will be paid.”

The Post, which had an average paid-for daily circulation of 29,475 in the six months to July 2013, last year chose to axe its Saturday edition to become a five-day title and also changed its name from the Bristol Evening Post.