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Future of eight-month-old weekly under review as publication suspended

Publication of an historic regional press title which was revived last year has been suspended while a review is held into its future.

The Despatch was launched as a weekly eight months ago, its name taken from the daily Northern Despatch which last published in the 1980s.

However publisher Newsquest has now confirmed that publication of the Darlington-based title has now been suspended.

A review of the title, which was mainly distributed free but also available on sale at 30p from retailers, is set to be held over the summer.

Despatch

Editor Andy Richardson told HTFP: “Publication of the Despatch has been suspended over the summer while we undertake a review.”

As well as Darlington, the Echo covers a number of other towns including Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor, Newton Aycliffe and Willington.

At the time of its launch, the Echo said the Despatch  would be a “very community-focused” and “bright, modern-looking” paper.

It was delivered to thousands of homes across Darlington and the Wear Valley and will also be available for free from specific targeted locations.

The Despatch was one of a number of new titles launched by Newsquest over the past year, including the Oldham Times, Warrington Post, Blackburn Post and Burnley Star.

2 comments

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  • June 19, 2018 at 9:42 am
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    “Under review” = “down the tubes”. This is happening a lot now; good luck to everyone affected.

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  • June 20, 2018 at 9:03 am
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    I seem to remember mentioning at the time that setting yourself up with your own free competitor to a paid-for paper with an already steadily declining circulation to supposedly sell more advertising might not be the brightest idea. Best wishes to those affected.

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