An editor made redundant last year has launched a community news website which aims to “talk up” his former patch.
Andrew Brown left his hometown weekly the Southport Visiter after six years in charge in 2019, and has now set up the ‘Stand Up For Southport’ site with a local business owner.
Since leaving the Visiter, Andrew has been working as a freelance magazine and press release writer and PR consultant, while he is also a presenter on local radio station Sandgrounder Radio.
The Stand Up For Southport group already has more than 8,000 members on its Facebook group, with thousands more on its Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts.
Andrew, pictured, said: “You won’t find much crime or grime on our website. We want instead to be able to support everyone living, working or visiting the Southport area in a positive way.
“We have a dedicated coronavirus category, so people can see all the latest news about how the outbreak is affecting us all locally. And more importantly, how we can all help each other through it, and what official support is available, from trusted sources.
“We have a business category, as we urge everyone to do all you can to support our local businesses wherever you can. And as a community website, written by local people for local people, we have a vibrant guest blog section.
“In the light of the new restrictions put in place this week, we don’t want the required physical isolation to become social isolation, and this new website and associated social media groups will play an important part in doing that. Together, we will get through this.”
During his time with the Visiter, the title came runner-up in the 02 North West Media Awards in both 2016 and 2017.
He also edited newspapers including the Southport Visiter, Midweek Visiter, Ormskirk Advertiser, Skelmersdale Advertiser, Formby Times, Crosby Herald and Bootle Times.
Stand Up For Southport is run with Phil Gee, owner of digital firm Agency Of Boom.
He said: “We felt frustrated that the majority of exposure previously tended to be from keyboard warriors venting their anger in a daily basis and whilst I agree that everyone has a right to their opinion, Andrew and I saw a gap on social media for a safe place for the rest of the town to feel at ease to share their pride and joy at many aspects of our town.
“The feedback we have received has been amazing and with this being such a worrying time for us all, we hope that this group can continue to bring hope and joy to us all, whilst also communicating many important topics in a sympathetic and accurate way.”
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Very laudable I’m sure. But I’ve never understood the logic of only positive news. Surely, the best way of helping a community is by understanding the problems with thoughtful journalism and addressing them in an intelligent way.
But good luck all the same.
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Percy you are absolutely right, and that is what we are seeking to do.
Unfortunately there are other media which are obsessed with covering crime and negative stories in our area, much to its detriment. That creates a disconnection which shouldn’t exist, and unfairly negative perceptions of a great town.
There are lots of great things going on here which go unreported. Our many great local people, events, charities, businesses and other organisations deserve greater recognition.
The fact we have gained nearly 10,000 members in our Stand Up For Southport Facebook group alone shows there was a desperate need for some much-needed positivity and pride in our local area.
Anyone with a love for Southport and an interest in our resort is welcome to join us!
#StandUpForSouthport
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Good luck to Andrew and the team at Stand up for Southport.
Its good to hear of someone prepared to put their time and efforts into producing a positive venture when there are so many focusing on the negatives -often just to attract clicks,
I’d also urge Andrew to ignore the doom and gloom warnings from others, there’s always room for a feel good initiative and hopefully the people of Southport will support you and local businesses choose you to advertise with.
Onwards and upwards
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Russ thank you for your support and your kind comments!
The coronavirus crisis has taught us that there is a real need for community now more than ever.
We are looking forward to joining all those who want to make where we live a better place for all.
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