Regional publisher Archant is to move some of its London newspaper titles to a digital-only format while relaunching some of its leading brands.
The part paid-for, part free Journal series in Hornsey, Muswell Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green are to cease publication as print products and go online-only.
At the same time, the flagship Ham & High series is to be relaunched in mid-October with a new design, additional pagination and a new edition covering some of the old Journal patch.
Other changes will see the merger of the editorial teams on the Hackney Gazette and Islington Gazette, with each title also getting a redesign.
The changes, which will place one editorial role at risk of redundancy, follow a strategic review carried out by new Archant London managing director Will Hattam.
He said: “London is an ever-changing city, with its series of “villages” constantly redefining themselves. Our products need to evolve to reflect the needs of each area in which we publish, which means that we need constantly to review our circulation areas, formats and distribution.
“Our newspapers play a pivotal role in the community life of North London by providing a vibrant, effective and sustainable media.
“We are committed to continue to play this key role in producing both print and digital formats.”
The new paid-for edition of the Ham & High will be called “The Broadway” and will cover the areas of Muswell Hill and Crouch End.
There will also be an expansion of free distribution, with 3,000 copies to be distributed via letterbox in Hampstead Garden Suburb.
In an email to staff, Will said the redesign will focus on the layout of key sections including the front page and its arts and entertainments section, with more pages, a “vibrant” new look and “exciting” changes to content.
Meanwhile the two Gazette titles will each be redesigned with higher paginations and increased news content.
Archant said a single editorial role is at risk of redundancy from the changes.
However in addition a number of individual journalists will be moving to different titles.
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It would still appear that some print products make money = re-investment, great news.
Those that don’t – go digital – hurray for digital.
Oh I wonder what other jobs will be going over the next few weeks!
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If the job at risk is the one I think it is, then my advice is take the money and never look back mate. If it’s not then all I can say is what goes around comes around.
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Is it just me or do other people hate digital editions? I can understand a magazine or newspaper publishing their product online using PageSuite or whatever. However if you are just going to publish online why does it have to look like a print product? Complete with annoying “swish” of pages.
Surely if you are just publishing online you are…. a website?
Also if your print product is not selling (as is the case for these London papers); and your website is not getting massive traffic, (which I understand is the case with these sites)…. then the real problem is “There’s something crucially wrong with your product”
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