AddThis SmartLayers

Free weekly to launch in Newbury

A new sister paper to the Oxford Journal is being launched for the town of Newbury.

The free weekly Newbury Journal will be published by Trimedia Publishing Limited, owners of the Oxford Journal, South Oxfordshire Courier and Basingstoke Observer.

Some 23,000 copies of the new title will be printed each week, and will be available at more than 100 pick up points, such as supermarkets, as well as on local buses.

Readers will also be able to sign up to receive a digital edition, which will be e-mailed out every week.

The Newbury Journal will be available in the same patch as the paid-for Newbury Weekly News, its free distribution newspaper The Advertiser and the Thatcham News.

It will be edited by Lawrence Webb, who is also editor of the Oxford Journal and South Oxfordshire Courier.

He said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge of the new paper.

“With the help of my colleague Steve Davies, who edits our sister paper the Basingstoke Observer, and his team, I’m sure we can bring something bright and new to the marketplace in Newbury and West Berkshire.”

The group has recruited a dedicated reporter for the Newbury title, Sam Henry, and Oxfordshire reporter Amanda Williams will produce a women’s page for the new paper.

It will include news and features, entertainment listings, jobs, competitions and a motoring supplement.

Trimedia Publishing chief executive Howard Taylor said: “I really believe the Newbury Journal will offer advertisers and residents in Newbury and Thatcham an exciting new alternative to the status quo.”