AddThis SmartLayers

Johnston Press to merge Yorkshire weeklies

Two weekly newspapers covering an East Yorkshire town are to be merged into a single “bumper” title by publisher Johnston Press.

The Driffield Times and Driffield Post, both paid-for titles, are to be combined into the Driffield Post and Times from 8 September.

The Times, which currently sells for 48p, had an average weeky circulation of 4,401 according to latest ABC figures.  The town has a population of 11,477.

It is not known whether any jobs will be lost as a result of the changes, which were announced in this week’s editions in a piece headlined ‘Coming soon … a new paper.’

Nick Procter, who edits both titles, told readers:  “A bigger, better, brighter newspaper for Driffield and its villages is on the way … your favourite papers the Driffield Times and Driffield Post are being merged into one bumper weekly issue.

“The new newspaper will have even more coverage of local news and sport as well as bringing the motors and property sections together in one edition.”

“Exciting times are ahead and we’re sure you will love the new Driffield Times & Post when it launches in September,” he added.

The newly-merged title will go on sale at 80p, which is 20p cheaper than the current cost of the two papers combined.  It will be available to subscribers at 60p.

Johnston Press has declined to give any further details on the move.

2 comments

You can follow all replies to this entry through the comments feed.
  • July 28, 2011 at 10:40 am
    Permalink

    Aah I remember the days when the Post and Times were the deadliest of rivals, until Johnston bought out the Post. I was tasked with doing the weekly “village run” for the Times, while Steve Petch pulled in the exclusives!

    Strange that two paid-for papers have been able to co-exist alongside each other in such a small town really. Good luck with the “bumper” edition though. 80p seems a lot for a local newspaper.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • July 28, 2011 at 12:41 pm
    Permalink

    They would be much better off pitching the price lower at 60p or something. The papers share staff anyway, so it’s not as if there’s a duplication of production cost, other than perhaps newsprint.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(1)