The editor of a new online-only regional title has named the date for the launch of the new venture.

The QT – billed as “a new voice for the North-East” – will go live on Wednesday 7th February with a core team of five journalists led by former Journal editor Brian Aitken.

The site will update once a week, every Wednesday at noon, with the first edition available free of charge.

Subsequent editions will be available for a monthly subscription of £7.99 or an annual subscription of £79.99.

Said Brian: “It’s all systems go for The QT. We have been gearing up for this moment for some time and, now that launch day is approaching fast, its scary and exciting in equal measure.

“A pre-launch social media and digital marketing campaign has just started and we are already seeing a steady stream of people signing up. And many subscribers are choosing the Founding Member option of £150 which is for people who are willing to pay a premium for quality regional journalism.”

Brian, who edited Newcastle daily The Journal between 2003 and 2014, has pledged that the title will be an “independent campaigning voice” for the North East region which will be entirely funded by reader subscriptions – with “no pop-ups or clickbait.”

He has developed the project along with former Journal colleague Sam Wonfor, who will serve as features editor, while freelance contributors to the project will include former Northern Echo editor Peter Barron and former Newcastle Chronicle editor Paul Robertson.

New coverage will focus on regional affairs including business, politics, devolution, health, the environment, education and inequality, while the publication will also aim to provide “first class coverage” of the cultural sector.

Most content will be paywalled, but the What’s On listings in the Culture section will be free to access.