Is There Still A Place In Society For Local Newspapers?

Well, the answer has to be yes.

Ignite's Peter Lindsey

Over the past few years there has been a sharp decline in sales, and indeed revenues, for the local press. Why? Because people want news to be more immediate, and they can easily access it 24 7 on their phones or laptops.

At the same time, the price of a local newspaper has shot up, the Eastbourne Herald for example is now £1.40.

I can remember when I was Editor arguing why it should not go up from 30 pence to 40. But put that in perspective and it's still less than a cup of coffee or half a pint of beer.

There's also less reason to buy a paper if you are looking for a job, home or car as there's less adverts of such products. The local hospital used to advertise its vacancies in the local press. Now it's all done online.

For the past six months, I have been writing, delivering and selling the advertising for Eastbourne Voice.

By November, it had reached 10,000 copies with an average monthly revenue of around £3k.

And the copies went like wildfire. Why?

Because it was visible, people liked what they read, and yes of course it was free..

Put copies in Morrisons, Tesco and the local shopping centre and they were quickly snapped up.

There was a demand and I am sure that demand still exists.