A regional daily editor has admitted he has “taken a battering” from readers as his paper prepares to relaunch on Monday.
The Liverpool Echo will reveal its new look next week as editor Alastair Machray’s month-long consultation with readers on what they want from the paper nears its end.
The #TellAli project has already seen Alastair, pictured left, pledge to review the Echo’s football coverage, after complaints from Everton FC fans that the paper concentrates too much on their arch-rivals Liverpool FC.
Figures including the chief constable of Merseyside, Sir Jon Murphy, and actor Liverpool-born Neil Fiztmaurice, have also criticised the Echo’s coverage of crime as part of the survey.
Alastair further published an editorial defending the Echo’s decision to move its printing operation to Oldham seven years ago, after readers urged him to bring the work back to Liverpool.
It has been confirmed that a more detailed What’s On? entertainment listings section will figure as part of Monday’s relaunch, with further changes to be revealed in the coming days.
Discussing the project in a piece for the Echo, Alastair wrote: “Some people told me I was mad to ask people to tell me what they thought the Echo was doing right – and, most importantly, what they thought we were doing wrong.
“But I honestly have absolutely no regrets. On the contrary, I think it’s the best thing the Echo could have done.
“It was the right thing to do and the right time to do it – a time when Liverpool is going through so many positive changes.
“‘But how have you coped with all the criticism?’ I have been asked – and on numerous occasions. I’ve taken a battering. But I have coped. And I’ve learned from the experience.”
Would he say how may responses he got from the readers, compared to its circulation ?
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At least he had a go. Years ago JP relaunched several papers that did not need it in a national purge but failed to do any proper market research because they rushed the job. It was botched. They boasted of improved news coverage (pets page and nostalgia among their stunning brainwaves) and the first relaunch issue I saw had fewer stories in it than the week before. And they had put the price up! Incompetent is too kind.
So praise to these people for at least trying to do a professional job.
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Ahhh, thankfully it is a neutral coloured background…..
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No chance By George, it will be a red Liver Bird
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