I'm sorry to be the bearer of such sad tidings, but I've just learned that the North West Enquirer has folded. As always, money is the issue - I'm told the advertising sales never got off the ground, and even with a beefed-up ad sales team the paper never was able to recover.
Condolences to all the fine folks who worked there and especially to editor Bob Waterhouse, who believes the North West deserves its own intelligent and readable paper. I thought it was quite good, and I know there are a lot of people who will be very disappointed.
Update: The Press Gazette has just put a story online: North West Enquirer goes into administration.
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I bought it a couple of times and thought it was, yunno, OK. In the two copies I bought, there were never any stories about who'd been murdered, or arrested, or up in court for this or that. Or pictures and tales of local people coming good. "Rochdale couple celebrate 60th anniversary by cycling round Windermere in the buff," etc.
It seemed a bit more like brochure for the North West rather than a newspaper.
Low on stories about people and high on stories about the region, which to be fair, it covered very broadly.
Wish I'd hung on to my two copies now. Could be worth something ;-)
Obviously, I feel for anyone who's going to struggle because of it folding.
I've just posted the following on my own blog:
"Just read that The North West Enquirer is folding and going out of print and I'm really depressed about it. This was a paper that tried to bring something new and vibrant to current affairs in the region, providing a much wider expansive view on issues that effected all of us. Its arts and political coverage were particularly strong, always intelligent but accessible often introducing stories that often didn't receive the recongition it deserved elsewhere. No word yet on whether there will be a farewell issue this week or if last Thursdays was the swansong. Such a shame."
From what I understand, Stu, they're not doing another edition.
It's deeply depressing as a journalist. Just for once, there was a chance to write the kind of copy you actually wanted to, knowing that there was an appreciative (and growing) readership who loved the paper and wanted it to succeed as much as you did. Unlike most newspapers, there were no favourites being bumped up into positions of authority, no hierarchy (the MD sat next to the subs), no hidden agendas and a real feeling of excitement, especially as most of us had given up secure jobs to try to help Bob and Nick's vision become a reality. There's still a place for such a paper, however I fear if one of the big regional publishers were to take it on it would become all of the things that we all detest about their titles. One (excellent)profile writer told me yesterday that it was the first time in years that he'd felt a thrill at working in journalism. Yes, there are many lessons to be learned, but it's a very black day for us all.
Anonymous, I couldn't have said it better myself. While yes, there were things that could have been done differently, it was a real treat to write for the enquirer. It was lovely to be encouraged to write ambitious, in-depth arts and feature stories, rather than being expected to churn out the same old pap filling most local rags.
The one time I worked in the office there, The editor made me a cup of tea himself - I was surprised and impressed. Such egalitarianism is sadly missing from most newsrooms.
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