A group of former regional daily journalists have gone head to head with their old title after launching a news magazine on the same patch.
The Hull Story has been launched by ex-Hull Daily Mail journalists, and will be distributed free of charge throughout the Yorkshire city and the surrounding area.
The monthly title’s founders say it will offer a mixture of news, opinion, business, politics, campaigns and the arts.
Rick Lyon, who spent 14 years at the Mail in roles including crime reporter, chief reporter and news editor, said the Story would “champion our heroes and good causes, but not shy away from difficult issues”.
Rick is heading up the project, which published its first edition last week.
It included a feature on a major drive in the city to tackle climate change, a tribute to a celebrated Normandy veteran and a feature on two Hull City football fans who have launched an online archive of match day programmes.
Rick told HTFP: “The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. We want to produce a publication that truly reflects the story of Hull and the area and people already seem to have really bought into it.
“We have only produced one edition but word has really spread, thanks in part to the power of social media. But I think it also shows that there is demand for this type of product.
“The content is the key and we will be increasing the pagination and circulation and developing the website in the coming weeks.”
The project has been self-funded, with copies distributed in shops, cafes, bars, salons, hotels and other establishments.
Award-winning former Mail chief reporter Kevin Shoesmith is another of those behind the project.
He added: “Our aim is to report on real issues that affect the people of Hull and the region, as well as telling the stories of the people who make the city what it is.”
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It’s always great to hear of the launch of a new independent publication and I wish this one well.
On reading the article I couldn’t see any mention of the team make up but hope there’s a sound commercial colleague on board as when publications are free to pick up and rely on self funded it’s vital to have a good sales person pushing the brand and attracting business to fund the operation.
I’ve seen some good titles thrive with good ad sales and others cease for lack of support. Hopefully the content will be consistently strong and of interest to make people want it and to advertise in it enough to perhaps go weekly.
Certainly monthly publications do struggle to compete with ‘news’ but I assume the web side of the business will focus more on that aspect with the monthly magazine being seen more of a local lifestyle publication,
Greay to hear it’s been positively well received and luck to everyone involved.
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