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Paper unveils bright new look

A new-look Bolton Evening News has been unveiled.

The changes follow months of research and planning by staff at the paper.

Its new masthead marks the culmination of a gradual redesign of the paper which has taken place over the past six to eight months.

The new look will be completed on Saturday with the introduction of Weekend, a 24-page lifestyle pull-out which the paper hopes will consolidate a gain in Saturday sales which are currently 1.6 per cent up year on year.


  • The new Bolton Evening News
  • The revamp follows the appointment of editor Steve Hughes who joined the paper in June 2001.

    In November the paper’s owners Newsquest opened a £17m print plant in Lostock which allowed faster production, more colour and increased pagination.

    After an initial change in tone, style and structure, the Evening News commissioned independent readership research and took advice on design and typography from Peter Sands, director of the Editorial Training Centre in Hastings, who produced some dummy designs.

    Following Steve’s vision for the paper, the revamp was led by deputy editor Ian Savage, chief sub editor Dave Rigby, graphic artist Lisa Hawthorn and assistant editor (production), John Bird.

    Staff, readers and advertisers were all consulted before the updated design, new typefaces for the features pages and restyled sections were introduced along with new columnists and more emphasis on the use of pictures.

    A new Friday entertainment supplement, 24:7, was also introduced.


  • How the paper used to look
  • Steve said: “When I took over last year I had a good idea of the direction I wanted the paper to take. But I didn’t know the area or the staff and I wanted to be sure that we got it right.

    “I am delighted with the look and it seems to have gone down well with readers. The paper now has a quality and brightness about it which reflects the content.

    “We hope to provide a comprehensive news and sport service for the people of Bolton. But we also want to examine and explain the decisions and events which affect their lives.”

  • The Bolton Evening News was founded 135 years ago and currently has an average daily circulation of 37,676. It is published Monday to Saturday, with two editions Monday to Friday, and one edition on a Saturday. The paper was last redesigned five years ago, but not on such a big scale.

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