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Publisher in U-turn over merger of two weeklies

A regional publisher has reversed a decision made just three months ago to merge two weekly newspapers following an outcry from readers.

The Gazette and Observer was formed in February from Newsquest’s Ilkley Gazette and Wharfedale & Airedale Observer under a move which also saw them switch from a broadsheet to compact format.

But readers have not welcomed the merger and editor Malcolm Hoddy said the strength of feeling had resulted in a decision to bring back the previous titles.

The papers will be back on the streets next week as separate titles, in a reversal of a merger believed to be unique in newspaper history.

Malcolm said: “There was such strength of feeling among readers about the old titles that we felt it was absolutely the right thing to do.

“Weekly newspapers are all about their local community and we’re happy to prove that we’re willing to listen to what the readers are telling us.”

Following the launch of the new paper, readers were asked for their feedback and meetings were also held with local councillors, community groups and newsagents.

David Coates, Newsquest Yorkshire and North East regional managing director, said: “We knew that introducing change, both in size format and in bringing our two ‘Wharfedale’ titles together as the Gazette & Observer, was a risk and readers have made their feelings known to us.

“The overwhelming majority like the change to compact format but most tell us they want their own newspaper back.  And that’s exactly what we intend to do in bringing back the Ilkley Gazette and Wharfedale Observer.”

The move will also see the return of a number of editionised news, sport and features pages each week.

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  • May 12, 2011 at 11:14 am
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    Good newspaper companies do considerable market research before making huge changes like that, then they don’t end up with egg on their faces. Carlisle’s News & Star spent six months on it in the 90s before changing their masthead!
    These days most newspaper companies leave their market research to the teaboy and then make him redundant.
    If it had been up to the readers Long Eaton and a good few other places would still have a newspaper. But most of the big companies don’t give a damn about their readers any more than they do about their staff these days – it’s all about appeasing their advertisers (the ungrateful things) and the shareholders.
    At least Newsquest listened this time – well done Malcolm!

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  • May 12, 2011 at 11:20 am
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    I bet their readership fell to zero, good job Mr managing director, you should run the country with your skills

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  • May 12, 2011 at 2:07 pm
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    While David Coates is, miraculously, available for comment, can HTFP please ask him if he considers that transferring the entire production of the Darlington and Stockton Times, the Durham Times, and large sections of The Northern Echo from Darlington to Bradford is a risk – and if so how he has quantified it and how he has decided it is a risk worth taking?

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  • May 12, 2011 at 4:41 pm
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    Malcolm Hoddy is a proper legend and I bet he is well pleased that NQ’s idea was shot dow in flames by the readers.

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  • May 13, 2011 at 9:51 am
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    The bunch of greedy jokers who run Newsquest seem to have no logical strategy for clawing in as much money as possible. They make it up as they go along. Thank goodness this particular whim backfired. They must be seriously rattled. They’ve actually allowed a regional managing director to speak.

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