A hyperlocal publisher has expanded its growing empire with a further two new editions of its monthly newspaper series and another in the pipeline.
The Local Voice Network now runs 15 print titles in the Bristol area following the launch of St George & Redfield Voice and Thornbury Voice.
The free Voice series now delivers more than 136,000 copies each month to households and businesses across the city and surrounding area, after being set up by former Bristol Post assistant editor Richard Coulter and advertising manager Emma Cooper in 2011.
Thornbury Voice is published by Richard Drew, who is also responsible for editions in Frome Valley and Yate & Chipping Sodbury.
St George and Redfield Voice is a joint venture between community activist Philip Bird and journalist Richard Foote.
Richard Drew said: “I’m delighted to have Thornbury Voice under way. We’ve had a great response to the first edition and we are looking forward to being an integral part of Thornbury life.”
Philip added: “It’s very exciting to be a part of the Voice family of newspapers and see our first issue delivered.
“For us, the most important aspect of these hyperlocal titles is their ability to unite communities and bring people the local news that matters to them most. The initial feedback from our first edition is that we’ve achieved this.”
More than 20 people now work in varying capacities for the 15 publications, from full-time to freelance part-timers. A 16th, in an as yet unnamed location, is set to be launched in the summer.
The Voice model is a franchised operation, with new publishers paying a monthly fee to benefit from the group’s co-operative model.
Richard Coulter said: “We are delighted to launch these two new titles to add to our ‘stable’. Voice magazines are trying to show that the void in news which exists in some communities can effectively be filled by hyperlocal publications – but crucially within a proper business model.
“We all have digital presence – but print remains undoubtedly sustainable.”
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Wonderful stuff, best of luck to them.
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A good example of an independent small publisher finding a market, satisfying it and growing it by producing a good hyper local newspaper to the relevant local communities in the face of bigger but ailing competitors.
By providing the level of local news the others no longer give,these and similar to other small publishers,mostly ex regional press staffers, are making a success of local news in their own areas and building a good business as a result .
Good wishes and continued success to all involved.
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Excellent news and well done to all concerned. I don’t live anywhere near the area but I still want to know more about “Residents angered over porn studio development”.
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Thank you Jimbledon.
The story is probably not what you think
Local residents are opposing the conversion of a porn studio in to hosuing – you can read the story at https://issuu.com/sgrvoice/docs/sgrvoice-01-april-2017/8
Philip Bird
St George & Redfield Voice
http://www.stgeorgeandredfieldvoice.co.uk
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This does look like a good read and not a forced good news story in sight. Bizarrely the good residents of St George and Redfield are outraged that a porn studio is being turned into housing, not the other way round. Great story.
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