A series of weekly newspapers have shut with the loss of around 20 jobs – less than six months after they were bought by a new owner.
The ‘View From’ series – which serve towns in Dorset, Devon and Somerset – has ceased publication with immediate effect due to “falling advertising revenue and the continued difficult trading climate”.
It is understood around 20 staff have been made redundant as a result.
The affected jobs are all based in Lyme Regis, while other editions cover Bridport, Dorchester, Weymouth, Axminster, Seaton, Honiton and South Somerset.
The titles, which had a combined weekly distribution of 33,000, were purchased by Truro City Football Club chairman Peter Masters in July last year, following his buyout of the Liskeard-based Sunday Independent earlier in 2017.
The Independent had ceased trading in April – eight months after the death of previous proprietor Brian Doel.
Capital Media had owned the ‘View From’ titles for 18 months prior to the July takeover, having previously acquired them from Tindle Newspapers in a management buyout.
Philip Evans, one of the leading shareholders in Capital Media, continued to run the View From titles, which he originally founded, following Mr Masters’ takeover.
Philip initially brought in former Western Daily Press editor Tim Dixon as operations director to help run the eight titles although he subsequently left the business and is now believed to be working in the Caribbean.
Said Philip: “It’s not been an easy decision. But having looked at this from every angle, the titles are just not viable in the current industry climate.”
A statement posted yesterday on the ‘View From’ Facebook page reads: “It is with great regret that the decision has been taken to close View From Newspapers with immediate effect due to falling advertising revenue and the continued difficult trading climate.
“Thank you to all our loyal readers & advertisers for your support over the past 12 years.”
A spokesman for the owners added: “Having acquired the titles out of administration in July of last year we agreed to continue publishing the loss-making titles for six months in a bid to give continued employment for the staff.
“But in the light of continued falling revenues, we have reluctantly decided that the titles are no longer sustainable.”
Sign up for our free daily email bulletin
Follow HTFP on Twitter
Got a story? Email the Editor at
Sad news indeed.
“Western Daily Press editor Tim Dixon as operations director to help run the eight titles although he subsequently left the business and is now believed to be working in the Caribbean.”
So how did he make No7 in Steve Dyson’s “My 12 regional media heroes of 2017″ from 20th Dec 2017?
Report this comment
Probably a blessing given the horrible layout and the literal in the headline.
Report this comment
The output of support on their FB page is encouraging – looks like the punters will miss it. Unfortunately, social meejah words of condolence don’t keep you buoyant.
I’m also wondering if this could see a nasty knock on effect for the Sunday Independent and it’s footie-loving saviour from last year………..
Report this comment
Yes exsub, always a blessing when more than 20 people are made redundant
Report this comment
It’s a shame to see so many go all at once.
Report this comment
Always sad to see local papers close. But that front page is a boring slab with the cardinal sin, an error on front page heading. Surely new owners could have livened it up? Instead they kill it off.
Report this comment
All very laudable taking over ailing newspapers but surely a proper feasibility study backed up by a properly thought out business plan would have highlighted and warned of the lack of sustainable commercial revenue to enable these titles to continue ,instead all it appears to have been is a short stay of execution
Report this comment
While not disagreeing with paperboy’s post, as someone who had the pleasure of working with Tim Dixon, I think it’s only fair to point out had he remained in situ a bit longer he would, undoubtedly, have transformed the ‘View from’ titles.
He’s passionate about design – check out his Newscraft website for examples of his work – and had already set to work on bringing the Sunday Indy into the 21st century.
Report this comment
I know those titles well, used to ‘compete’ against them. My guess is getting rid of them and all the local sport they carry is a strategic plan to boost the Independent in the circulation area.
Report this comment