A weekly newspaper which temporarily ceased publication due to the coronavirus crisis is to return in print – with the first edition back being offered free to readers.

The Stranraer and Wigtownshire Free Press will return in print next week after moving online-only in April due to the pandemic, with reporters being furloughed as a result.

But the Free Press is set to come back this coming Thursday – a new publication date for the paper, which previously came out on Wednesdays.

The return edition of the usually paid-for title will also be free to readers.

One of the last issues of the Free Press to be published prior to its hiatus

Free Press reporter Jennifer Jones told HTFP: “The last few weeks especially, we’ve had increased messages of support and well wishes for the print edition coming back.

“It is great to be able to say we are back at our desks and the next edition will be coming next week – not knowing when and where, and not being able to tell people the full story until now only increased the enthusiasm.

“We will be kicking off with a free edition next week- as well as moving the print date to Thursday, which allows us to include elements that we’ve not been able to cover fully since printing moved from in-house to Cambuslang.”

Jennifer said the move would allow the paper to cover “more court, sport and weekend events in detail”.

She added: “Traditionally off-stone has been a Wednesday, and people still queue at the door for the paper when it arrives from Glasgow but with the new set up, it will give us a chance to spend more time on stories that happen mid-week.”

Regional titles shelved during lockdown which have since returned to print

Bedford Times & Citizen
Coalville Times
County Down Spectator
Manchester Weekly News
MK Citizen
Midsomer Norton, Radstock & District Journal
Mourne Observer
News Post Leader
Newtownards Chronicle
Ottery Herald
Stranraer and Wigtownshire Free Press
West Highland Free Press

Newspapers which have permanently closed since the start of lockdown

Blackmore Vale Magazine
County Border News
Glamorgan Gem series
Lichfield Mercury
Midweek Visiter
The Examiner, County Armagh

You can read all our coronavirus-related stories here.