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Regional publisher relaunches flagship magazine

Regional publisher the CN Group is relaunching its flagship monthly magazine after giving it a new-look design and fresh content.

Cumbria Life hits the streets today following the makeover which it says aims to offer readers ‘style with substance.’

First published as a quarterly in the 1980s, the title went monthly in 2008 under Richard Eccles, a former deputy editor of the Cumberland News who has been with the group for 23 years.

It now boasts a readership of 60,000 but Richard says the challenge for the magazine is to attract more younger readers.


Said Richard:  “We felt it was time to refresh the magazine and change perceptions about what a ‘county life’ magazine is about.

“We want to be essential reading and an essential guide for getting the most out of this amazing county and its unique combination of natural beauty and a vibrant contemporary culture of Michelin-starred restaurants and a thriving arts scene.

“The challenge is to attract new younger readers while not putting off our traditional core, and from the first reactions to the new magazine I think we have pulled it off.”

The magazine was officially relaunched at a party in the heart of the Lakes, at Grasmere on Friday. Special guest speaker was Kevin Roberts, the worldwide chief executive of Saatchi & Saatchi, who has a home in Grasmere and has featured in the magazine.

The new look was drawn up by Edinburgh-based and award-winning Matthew Ball Editorial Design, whose other redesigns include The Scotsman and Which? Magazine.

Regular columnists Dave ‘Hairy Bikers’ Myers, author and broadcaster Stuart Maconie and author Hunter Davies will continue to write for the magazine.