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Tabloid switch for independent weekly after new editor takes charge

An independent weekly is set to go tabloid next week for the first time in its 176-year history after the appointment of a new editor.

The Stranraer and Wigtownshire Free Press has announced this week’s edition will be its last in its current format, pictured below, as it moves to a full colour tabloid edition from Wednesday.

The switch comes after John Cooper took over as editor from Alan Hall last month.

Printing of the title will move from Stranraer to Newsquest’s printing press in Glasgow as a result.

Stranraer

A Facebook post on Wednesday announcing the move stated: “Today’s Stranraer and Wigtownshire Free Press is the last to be printed at the paper’s works in St Andrew Street, Stranraer.

“From next week, the paper will, for the first time in its 176-year history, be full colour throughout and printed on a state-of-the-art newspaper press in Cambuslang, Glasgow. It will also change shape, going from its current unique format, which is dictated by the veteran Goss press, to a modern tabloid.

“The new format gives us an opportunity to refresh the look of the paper and to better showcase the work of our journalists and photographers. The editorial and advertising departments will remain in the heart of the town and we will continue to cover the Wigtownshire beat from the building that was custom-built for us in 1976 when the newspaper moved from Castle Street.

“Since then, the technology has advanced beyond recognition and it is commonplace across the print industry now for rival newspapers to share a printing press, given their huge complexity and expense.”

John began his career with the Free Press as a trainer reporter aged 17, before moving on to work for titles including the Edinburgh Evening News and Glasgow’s Sunday Mail.

He later switched to the Daily Mail’s Glasgow office before being transferred to Dublin, where he was part of the Irish Daily Mail’s launch team, later returning to become associate editor of the paper’s Scottish edition.

He told HTFP: “It’s an exciting time for the paper. I started my career here and I must admit it was always thrilling when the press began to run on a Wednesday. There was a palpable sense of excitement as the whole building shook. That will go, but there remains a buzz about Wednesdays when the Free Press comes out and I still love to see people queueing to buy the paper.

“Although the printing of the paper is moving to Glasgow, the editorial and advertising departments remain in the heart of the town and we will continue to cover the Wigtownshire beat from the building that was custom-built for us in 1976.

“This is an incredibly difficult time for the entire industry, facing tumbling sales. But local newspapers such as the Free Press still have a key role to play, not least amplifying the voice of people in an area too often neglected.”

Free Press proprietor the Earl of Stair added: “Although it is sad that the Stranraer and Wigtownshire Free Press is no longer going to be printed in Stranraer, it is still our local paper, and I look forward to seeing it flourish in its new format, with a new and exciting layout and colour content.”