Comments on: Jobs go as rebranded weekly is axed after 12 months http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2012/news/jobs-go-as-rebranded-weekly-axed-after-six-months/ The home of UK regional journalism news and jobs Thu, 23 May 2013 16:12:31 +0000 hourly 1 By: Former Clevedon Merc news ed http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2012/news/jobs-go-as-rebranded-weekly-axed-after-six-months/#comment-18562 Former Clevedon Merc news ed Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:33:17 +0000 http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/?p=1626249#comment-18562 What a sad day. The Clevedon Mercury was first published in 1876 and up until a few years ago was a great quality local paper and the offices in Clevedon housed a full editorial team, production and ad staff. Then Northciffe started making cuts. The subbing was centralised, then the editor went, the journalists were moved to Bristol (away from their patch!!) and the ad staff etc went too. The quality suffered, and then came the crazy decision to make it the local people - it became complete drivel, especially compared to its rival, Archant's North Somerset Times, which had once been struggling to compete but is now a very good quality local edition. After a year of two papers covering exactly the same area, one had to go, and unfortunately it had to be what was the Mercury. Personally I am very sad to see it go, especially as sister paper the Weston and Worle News went a few years ago, but it was either invest in it and improve it, or cut it, and we all know Northcliffe's preferred option is short term profit, not long term investment in quality local journalism. What a sad day. The Clevedon Mercury was first published in 1876 and up until a few years ago was a great quality local paper and the offices in Clevedon housed a full editorial team, production and ad staff. Then Northciffe started making cuts. The subbing was centralised, then the editor went, the journalists were moved to Bristol (away from their patch!!) and the ad staff etc went too. The quality suffered, and then came the crazy decision to make it the local people – it became complete drivel, especially compared to its rival, Archant’s North Somerset Times, which had once been struggling to compete but is now a very good quality local edition. After a year of two papers covering exactly the same area, one had to go, and unfortunately it had to be what was the Mercury. Personally I am very sad to see it go, especially as sister paper the Weston and Worle News went a few years ago, but it was either invest in it and improve it, or cut it, and we all know Northcliffe’s preferred option is short term profit, not long term investment in quality local journalism.

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]]> By: North Somerset ex-staffer http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2012/news/jobs-go-as-rebranded-weekly-axed-after-six-months/#comment-18414 North Somerset ex-staffer Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:56:42 +0000 http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/?p=1626249#comment-18414 RIP Clevedon Mercury. Until a few years ago, it was a first class regional local newspaper serving its North Somerset readership. Then along came the ludicrously-titled people.co.uk and a stupendous fall in quality of content, quality of subbing and quality of design. In a word, the new product was cr*p. RIP Clevedon Mercury.

Until a few years ago, it was a first class regional local newspaper serving its North Somerset readership.
Then along came the ludicrously-titled people.co.uk and a stupendous fall in quality of content, quality of subbing and quality of design.

In a word, the new product was cr*p.

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]]> By: Westcountry hack http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2012/news/jobs-go-as-rebranded-weekly-axed-after-six-months/#comment-18217 Westcountry hack Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:37:37 +0000 http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/?p=1626249#comment-18217 Well why launch them in the first place then? More confused thinking from Northcliffe. Until the publishers focus on a proper business plan - which focuses on long term profits instead of short term gain - papers will continue to go and reporters will continue to lose their jobs. Why not try KEEPING staff and putting out a better paper? You never know, more people might actually buy it... Well why launch them in the first place then? More confused thinking from Northcliffe.

Until the publishers focus on a proper business plan – which focuses on long term profits instead of short term gain – papers will continue to go and reporters will continue to lose their jobs.

Why not try KEEPING staff and putting out a better paper? You never know, more people might actually buy it…

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