Express & Star launches new weekly edition in Kidderminster

Wolverhampton’s Express & Star has launched a new weekly edition in Kidderminster to replace the Kidderminster Chronicle.

The paper was yesterday delivered to more than 22,000 homes in Kidderminster, with an additional 1,600 copies sold in the surrounding villages.

Publishers the Midlands News Association said the new weekly edition will include local news along with the latest national and international stories, sport and opinion.

MNA managing director Phil Inman said: “We will be reaching 35,000 local readers with the best evening paper in the regional press, free of charge.

“The Express & Star is making a long term commitment to allow Kidderminster readers to sample the Midlands Newspaper of the Year 2012, every week.

“We believe that this new offering will be valued by readers and advertisers, with 86 per cent of the households within its footprint receiving a free copy every week.”

The new weekly replaces the MNA’s Kidderminster Chronicle but the daily’s Dudley & Wyre Forest edition will remain on sale in the Kidderminster area on all other publication days.

The news comes three years after the Express & Star – the UK’s biggest-selling regional newspaper – launched a free weekly edition in Stafford.

MNA said a recent study by research company Press Ahead showed the Stafford edition was now read by more adults in its area than any other local title.

The Stafford edition moved from Wednesday to Thursday publication last month.

Inman added: “The move was requested by advertisers, who wanted to see their advertising appear closer to the weekend. This move has given our advertising teams a strong foundation to build upon.”