National Press

Tristan O'Carroll, mediaweek.co.uk, 20 August 2009, 1:13pm

News International set to close thelondonpaper

LONDON - News International has announced plans to close thelondonpaper, its free evening newspaper, just three years after it launched.

londonpaper: set to close

The company has started a 30-day consultation on the proposed closure with approximately 60 staff of NI Free Newspapers, the subsidiary that publishes thelondonpaper. News International said it plans to continue to publish the title during the consultation period.

The paper remained loss-making in its second year of operation, although the loss narrowed markedly from the previous year. According to accounts for the year to 30 June 2008, NI Free Newspapers posted a £12.96m loss.

Read coverage of thelondonpaper from the Media Week archives

However, this was down sharply from the £16.48m loss posted during the previous 12 months. NI Free Newspapers was set up on 1 July 2006 and launched thelondonpaper on 4 September that year.

The company did post a rise (75%) in turnover, up from £8.04m to £14.08m for the year to 30 June 2008.

James Murdoch, chairman and chief executive, Europe and Asia, News Corporation, said in a statement: "The strategy at News International over the past 18 months has been to streamline our operations and focus investment on our core titles.

"The team at thelondonpaper has made great strides in a short space of time with innovative design and a fresh approach, but the performance of the business in a difficult free evening newspaper sector has fallen short of expectations. We have taken a tough decision that reflects our priorities as a business."

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All Comments

Jacquie Bowser - 20 August 2009

Such a shame, but I was wondering how long they could continue running at a loss. I think they produced a product that many Londoners enjoyed picking up and having a flick through.

Stanley - 20 August 2009

now that's news worth reading.

fantastic.

Nicola Lucas - 20 August 2009

Good - I hate that paper, it's god awful no wonder it closed. London Lite is much better.

Richard Hayter - 20 August 2009

I sympathise with the people that'll lose their jobs, but both this title and London Lite are 'orrible little rags.

Susan Billinge - 20 August 2009

I hope their wonderful cartoonist Em finds a new home - she's the best thing in that paper.

MM - 20 August 2009

@Susan

There's always the website, just in case http://www.emcartoons.com/

Kelly Farrell - 20 August 2009

If it means less people will be attacking me with thier newspaper, trying to get me to take a copy, on my way home from work every day, I'm a fan.

nick parrish - 20 August 2009

Does that mean no more of the indescribably awful James Gill? Praise Jebus.

Commiserations to everyone else.

dano - 20 August 2009

I used to find it HILARIOUS where there were 2 vendors next to each other, to take the london paper and then immediately hand it to the London Lite vendor. They always take it. Its literally the highlight of my day. What now?

krishnamurthi ramachandran - 20 August 2009

Regret to get from this website.

I am a freelance writer to many world leading networks.

Some bad things had happened to western newspapers.

In India,circulation of newspapers,magazines etc., are not much affected.

For example,i am buying newspapers and surfing world events from major news channels.

All loving media people,scholars,and government agencies should step in and stop any newspapers loss in revenue at the earliest.

dano - 20 August 2009

@krishnamurthi ramachandran: why back a dead horse?

David Bowie - 25 August 2009

@krishnamurthi ramachandran: There is only so much free news on Amy Winehouse, Pete Doherty, Kate Moss and the Geldof rodents that a person can take. I doubt you will see any scholars setting themselves alight Buddhist monk style outside News International HQ. I actually slipped on a london paper at London Bridge and twisted my ankle. Admittedly I wasn't paying attention as I was reading the Lite but if anything the tubes will safer at night now.

amy drink - 26 August 2009

There is only so much free news on Amy Winehouse, Pete Doherty, Kate Moss and the Geldof rodents that a person can take. I doubt you will see any scholars setting themselves alight Buddhist monk style outside News International HQ.

thats funny, youre pretty crazy