The long-serving editor of a regional interest magazine has decided to step down after more than ten years in charge.

Louise Taylor, left, is leaving Cheshire Life after more than a decade running Archant’s flagship regional title and 18 with the regional publisher.

Since joining Archant she has edited the now-defunct Manchester Life before becoming deputy editor of Lancashire Life and Cheshire Life.

Before that she had already spent 20 years in journalism, first working for various weekly newspapers around Greater Manchester as a reporter and then deputy editor, latterly as editor of The Magazine, a monthly lifestyle title published by the Rochdale Observer.

Archant’s group editor for the north magazines, Roger Borrell, said he would be very sorry to see her go.

Said Roger: “Louise has transformed what was an old fashioned regional title into a luxury lifestyle publication that would be a match for some national glossies with ten times the resources. It requires someone special to replace her.”

Louise added: “It’s going to be quite a wrench to leave this role behind, not to mention all my colleagues and the friends I’ve made around the county. But after editing Cheshire Life for almost 11 years, I reckon it’s time for a change.

“The job has been all-consuming and brought with it many experiences and treats that are pretty unique to the role. I’m not looking for another big journo job; I fancy doing a bit here and there and spending more time doing musical work  – I’m a classically trained soprano – and hanging around our caravan in Anglesey.”

Louise will leave at the end of Febuary and the search for a new editor has already begun.