A regional publisher has closed two newspapers and replaced them with an ‘innovative’ weekly news magazine.

Archant free titles the Harlow Herald and East Herts Herald have ceased publication and news from the two patches will be covered by a new product called Scene.

The four-edition ‘newszine’, which has led to the creation of two new editorial jobs, hit the streets yesterday with an initial distribution of 55,000 copies.

Scene is the second new title to be launched by Archant Herts & Cambs this year, following the creation of Cambridge First in May.

Managing director Stuart McCreery said: “This project was born out of necessity. The economic and multi-media climate in which we operate was challenging us and we needed to find a new way to satisfy our customers and readers in a more engaging and attractive manner.

“The Scene series will serve a wide audience in an innovative way.

“Our sales and editorial staff are really excited about this launch and it is credit to them that we are able to bring such a fresh product to market in tricky times. I am sure readers and customers will like the format and the approach.”

The first edition of HarlowScene, which hit the newsstands yesterday.

Barry Hunt, who previously led both newspapers, has been appointed as the editor of Scene and two new editorial staff members have been appointed.

The team will be based at an existing office in Stevenage, with reporters working mainly ‘on patch’, and Archant said there had been no editorial redundancies caused by the closure of the titles.

The newszine’s four editions will cover Bishop’s Stortford, Harlow, Hertford, Ware, Cheshunt, Hoddesdon and the surrounding areas.

It will be available to readers in eight different ways, including door-to-door delivery, paid-for sales, free pick-up, website, mobile site and from 41 parish council outlets in rural areas.

Business Development Manager Jonathan Tewson, said: “Scene will offer a forward thinking and fresh look at the area of East Hertfordshire and Harlow.

“The content will be wrapped up in a package which aims to fuse the excitement and thrust of a newspaper with the glamour and comfort of a magazine, supported by the website and a mobile site.”

Visitors to the websites of the Harlow Herald and East Herts Herald are now automatically redirected to the new site for Scene.

Comments

GDH (03/09/2010 13:59:09)
The glamour of a magazine is soon lost with that dreadful ad.