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Regional daily scraps town edition after less than 12 months

A regional daily has scrapped a town edition less than a year after it was launched in the wake of another title’s closure.

The Manchester Evening News has decided to discontinue its Oldham edition, which was launched last September in the wake of the demise of the daily Oldham Chronicle.

The MEN says Oldham content will continue to appear in its main edition, while it will continue to employ a reporter with responsibility for the town.

The Chronicle ceased publication on 31 August last year with the loss of 49 jobs after its parent company Hirst, Kidde and Rennie went into administration.  It has since been revived as a digital-only operation after being purchased by Credible Media.

MEN Oldham

Following the print edition’s closure, the MEN’s new edition was among three new titles to move into the Oldham market.

Newsquest also launched the weekly Oldham Times, while Quest Media launched the Oldham Reporter. Both titles continue to be published.

Of the decision to stop the Oldham edition, MEN editor-in-chief Darren Thwaites told HTFP: “We’ve adjusted our production schedule to accommodate our Oldham content in the main edition of the Manchester Evening News.

“We’ll continue to have a reporter with responsibility for the Oldham area and we’ll continue to cover important stories in the same way, both online and in print.”

Meanwhile Newsquest gearing up for the first anniversary of the Times later this month.

Newsquest North West managing director Nick Fellows commented: “We’re really pleased with the success of The Oldham Times, which we launched as a weekly paid for priced at 80p just under a year ago.

“It’s been really well supported by both readers and local businesses and has become firmly established as the leading news brand for the town.

“We will continue to invest in our content offering, with some changes in place to coincide with our 1st anniversary edition on the 20th September”.

 

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  • September 3, 2018 at 10:12 am
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    Well! There’s a surprise. Feeding off the carrion before slinking away to find another victim.

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