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Four new papers launched as merger decision reversed

Trinity Mirror is launching four new newspapers in Merseyside tomorrow, reversing a previous decision to merge three of its free titles into one edition.

The publisher will launch its four standalone titles for North Liverpool which will form The Star series, with specific editions for Anfield and Walton, Maghull and Aintree, Kirkby, and Crosby and Bootle.

A statement from the company about the launch said the new papers had a “bold, innovative design created to showcase community content in a magazine-type environment”.

A previous announcement in November 2011 saw the Bootle Times, Maghull and Aintree Star and Anfield Star merged into a single title called The Star, which would only be available within the Tuesday edition of the Liverpool Echo.

Trinity Mirror North West editor-in-chief Alastair Machray said: ”I am delighted we are launching newspapers in what has been a challenging era.

”These are proud, distinct communities which deserve their own newspapers to reflect their own lives.

”The new designs are exciting and refreshing and, hopefully, captivating for both readers and advertisers.”

Content for the new titles will be largely supplied by TM’s communities team based in Liverpool which harvests content from community groups and organisations with which it has developed relationships.

No new journalist roles will be created as a result of the launches.

 

At the time of the merger, Warren Butcher, the then managing director of Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales, said that a “change in approach was vital” and the business had to reflect market conditions and changing consumer trends.

He said: “We are convinced these changes will strengthen and add greater relevance to our portfolio in the long term and in turn improve the service we provide to both readers and advertisers.”

Following the decision by Trinity Mirror to merge the titles together, the rival Champion Media Group launched the free Bootle Champion on Wednesdays in a bid to capitalise on the move.