The former editor of a Brighton-based independent weekly newspaper has said he believes every town and city in the UK could support such a title.
Greg Hadfield announced his decision to step down as editor of Brighton and Hove Independent last week, five months after it was bought by Johnston Press.
The up-market title was launched four years ago in competition with Newsquest daily The Argus and has a weekly distribution of 13,000. It was bought by Johnston Press for £90,000.
Hadfield, 59, has been editor for three years and is a successful internet entrepreneur having made millions from the sale of the website Soccernet, which he founded with his son in 1995.
In 2009 he spent just over a year as Telegraph Media Group’s head of digital development.
He told Press Gazette: “There are excellent foundations in place for Brighton and Hove Independent to continue to be a remarkable newspaper and I couldn’t be more proud or more supportive.
"It has been the most remarkable period of my journalism career and re-energised my belief that print has a future in the regional media. It has also made me realise the importance of editors with a passion for their product and their title
“I sincerely believe it is possible for there to be a quality independent newspaper in print in every town and city in the UK.”
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