A popular hyperlocal website praised for its contribution to local news has branched out into the world of print, celebrating the premiere of its first print edition.

The Kentishtowner, which covers arts and culture news for the North London town, has published 5,000 copies of the 16-page “high quality” tabloid, which will be free for readers to collect from pubs, bars, shops and cafés.

Founder and editor Stephen Emms told HTFP he believed there was a market for a print version.

“It’s a little early to see what the reaction to the paper will be but we sold out all the advertising straight away,” he said.

“We are really excited.”

The website launched in 2010 and boasts a “regular audience” of 30,000 monthly visitors. Stephen believes the paper, which will also be released monthly, will attract a readership of 20,000.

The paper has three full-time writers and around 10 regular contributors.

Stephen said they liked to avoid hard news such as crime or politics, and instead concentrate on community and culture-based articles, specialising in finding “hidden stories and gems” in the town.

“We approach all our stories from a background as feature writers. Some people have called the site ‘a travel guide for locals’, which I like – it just about sums it up,” he added.

The Kentishtowner hyperlocal site has now launched a free monthly print version

The paper will include some of the pieces which appear on the online version, along with a wealth of fresh content including new columns by Esther Walker and Rick Edwards, fashion stories, a music column, and opinion pieces based on the area.

The first edition, which came out Friday (February 1), also includes coverage from the site’s recent Reader Awards.

The launch of the printed edition is the latest announcement from the Kentishtowner, which has received both local and national coverage for its work.

The site was also awarded funding from innovations charity NESTA, which has been used to set up a scheme offering media skills to young people.

The print edition is the latest in a line of new developments from Kentishtowner, which last year won funding from innovations charity NESTA.
That funding has been used to start a social enterprise aimed at offering media skills to young people as well as building website functions which offer readers a GPS option and deals on local business and produce.

The front page of the first edition of the Kentishtowner magazine