A weekly newspaper has issued a warning to advertisers as it prepares to return to print for the first time since March.

The Midsomer Norton, Radstock & District Journal says it will begin printing again in September, but has warned there will be “no community paper” unless local advertising returns.

HTFP reported on Wednesday how the Journal’s Tindle sister title the County Border News had closed after almost 40 years in business due to a lack of advertising revenue.

The free Journal will welcome back furloughed staff on Monday ahead of its returned to print.

In an editorial publisher on its website, online editor Simon Harding wrote: “Thankfully, we are returning to serve our local community and bring back your newspaper – and we can’t wait to get started.

“We’ve been incredibly touched by your kind messages and thank you all for your understanding and support. We are sorry that we have been unable to respond as the team are furloughed until 24 August, but we will get back to messages as soon as we return.

“To ensure your newspaper continues into the future we need your help more than ever before.

“We’ll be contacting all of our advertisers and regular contributors when we go back to the office on Monday, August 24. We’ll begin printing in September, as we have a lot to catch up on.

“If you are a local business, please talk to us – find out how our publication works – we can come up with advertising for you that really works and within budget.

“As we are a free newspaper, we can only cover our costs through you. Without local advertisers, there’s no community paper.”

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