London Evening Standard falls just shy of 600,000 distribution target

The Alexander Lebedev-owned newspaper recorded an average distribution of 596,100 in November.

The figure was made available by the London Evening Standard despite the paper switching from a monthly to half-yearly reporting regime earlier this year. It will disclose its average six-monthly circulation figure in February.

The London Evening Standard claims its distribution in November was 618,837, but that its complex distribution method meant the extra copies have yet to be signed by the auditing body.

Lebedev is considering ramping up distribution of the newspaper by 200,000 or more next year, as he looks to reap more ad revenue from an enlarged distribution.

The paper sacrificed its 50p cover price and ballooned its distribution to 600,000 in October.