A family-run local news title has closed down after five years in business – prompting its co-founder’s retirement after 59 years in journalism.

Father-and-daughter journalist team Philip and Francesca Evans have announced the immediate closure of LymeOnline, which was launched in January 2018 to cover Lyme Regis.

The title ran both online and as a monthly print newspaper, although the latter ceased publication in March this year due to “increasing costs”.

The Evans family has blamed the “current economic climate and the increasing pressure of the fast-changing, demanding media industry on such a small, independent business” for the decision to close.

Happier times: Philip and Francesca Evans of LymeOnline, pictured centre, alongside fellow journalists Geoff Baker, Tim Dixon and photographer Richard Austin at the launch of LymeOnline in 2018

As a result, managing director Philip, who previously launched and ran View From series in the West Country, has retired after a journalism career that also saw him work in London and abroad.

Meanwhile editor Francesca is moving onto a new career in marketing.

The company said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we announce the immediate closure of LymeOnline today.

“For more than five years we have been proud to cover the news, events and achievements of Lyme Regis. We launched our website in January 2018 and quickly made a name for ourselves in the media industry, being commended for Community Website of the Year for two consecutive years at the national newsawards.

“Our free, printed newspaper – launched just a month after the website in February 2018 – was also well-received by the local community and we know has been missed by many since we stopped publication in March 2023 due to increasing costs.

“We worked hard to continue for as long as possible as an online only news outlet, but the current economic climate and the increasing pressure of the fast-changing, demanding media industry on such a small, independent business, has led us to make the difficult decision to close.”

Francesca added: “When we launched LymeOnline, we had no long-term business plan and no idea whether it would really take off. We decided to take the plunge and enjoy it for however long it lasted – it was a unique opportunity for father and daughter to work together, sharing our passion for journalism and for Lyme Regis.

“The support of the community and our readers over the past five and a half years has been more than we could have ever imagined and we cannot thank you enough. Lyme Regis deserves a quality, dedicated and trusted news outlet of its own, and we’re sorry that we have to say goodbye.

“LymeOnline is something I will always be hugely proud of. Being a part of the Lyme Regis community and taking part in and covering all the town’s wonderful events has been an honour and I will always cherish those memories.”

The LymeOnline website will remain live for a few more weeks, while arrangements are made for its content to be archived, but it will no longer be updated with any new content and will eventually be taken offline, as will its social media pages.