Two Gloucestershire journalists have launched an all-new listings and lifestyle magazine for the county – which claims to avoid the dilemma of the print press – of damaging sales through website activity – by publishing entirely online.
Michelle Byrne and James Fryer, back from a spell on magazines in Dubai, said: “Regional publications have treated their websites as the poor relations for too long. With people in the UK spending more time every week surfing the Internet than reading newspapers and magazines combined, it is inexcusable.”
The magazine has been “live” for a six-week test period, during which time it has attracted around 500,000 hits from more than 60,000 unique readers – a readership they expect to quickly rise to in excess of 100,000 per month following this week’s official launch.

The 10,000-strong Polish community in Fife it to be treated to a regular Polish language column in the Fife Free Press, based in Kirkcaldy.
The 19,000-circulation paper is run by Johnston Press, and sister titles are looking at similar initiatives.

Former Scotland manager Craig Brown has thanked the Derby Evening Telegraph for helping him to land a new job at Derby County.
He joined the Rams as a football consultant to team up with his old friend Billy Davies, who is manager.
The Telegraph had contacted Brown after rumours surfaced that he was in line for the job, and this proved a catalyst for his move to Derby.

The Greenock Telegraph is marking its 150th anniversary this summer with a Big Day Out event by the sea, with bands, shows, displays and competitions.
More than 15,000 people are expected to join in the fun, on Saturday August 18.

A former Leicester Mercury journalist and county councillor has died, aged 87.
Basil Andrews was a sub-editor there for more than 30 years, rising to become deputy chief sub. He served on Leicestershire County Council as a Liberal and then Lib Dem councillor for ten years from 1967.