Birmingham Mail editor Steve Dyson on his blog today continues his review of regional newspapers, which he started on his holiday, and has taken a look at the Lancashire Telegraph. He likes what he sees and is particularly impressed by the Telegraph's editionising.The Lancashire Telegraph has two editions, the 'home' one serves Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.
Dyson says: "But readers in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale are not short-changed just because they don't host the paper's headquarters. As well as multiple change pages on news, the editions also proudly display major sports changes from Blackburn Rovers to Burnley FC. Even the paper's 'lookingback' nostalgia section gives readers specific local history and memories from their own areas."
He concludes: "Now that takes a bit of effort, but the result is a classy example of the importance of 'local, local, local' newspapers.
"The Lancashire Telegraph, published by Newsquest, has had its share of cost savings in recent years. It's gone overnight; district offices have been closed; it's switched its printing to Deeside, Flintshire; there have been editorial redundancies, etc.
"Despite these cutbacks, there is obviously no distraction on the editorial floor from providing the best local news service possible for its different sets of readers. And there is no predominance of press release fodder. There are plenty of hard news stories, court convictions, council rows and local human interest reports throughout...It's what a committed editorial team led by a hard taskmaster editor can achieve. No wonder readers in both edition areas continue to shell out their 40p a day.
"The Lancashire Telegraph, published by Newsquest, has had its share of cost savings in recent years. It's gone overnight; district offices have been closed; it's switched its printing to Deeside, Flintshire; there have been editorial redundancies, etc.
"Despite these cutbacks, there is obviously no distraction on the editorial floor from providing the best local news service possible for its different sets of readers. And there is no predominance of press release fodder. There are plenty of hard news stories, court convictions, council rows and local human interest reports throughout...It's what a committed editorial team led by a hard taskmaster editor can achieve. No wonder readers in both edition areas continue to shell out their 40p a day.
"Top marks for the attention to local detail to editor Kevin Young and team. I'm sure this dedicated service to readers will see the Lancashire Telegraph through the current recession."
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