Everything Epping Forest founder branches out

Local newspaper editor David Jackman who started hyper-local site Everything Epping Forest after being made redundant has now launched a second  in neighbouring Harlow - called  Everything Harlow.
Jackman was editor of the Epping Forest Guardian, Harlow and Bishop's Stortford Citizens and the Epping Forest Independent but was made redundant after 21 years with the titles.
Since Everything Epping Forest was launched in November 2008 it has registered more than 2.1m hits and gets some 40,000 hits a day. It has covered more than 1,000 local news stories and highlighted more than 500 local events on its what's on page.
Jackman says: "The new Everything Harlow website has the same design - but different colour - and has already attracted  Everything Epping Forest advertisers who are keen to get involved with the new venture.
"Unique to the local media, at least in this area, I have also launched a 'breaking news' text alert service - people can register to receive free texts to latest news items on their mobile. And I am offering businesses the chance to advertise on/sponsor the messages for just £10 a month.
"EEF has established a strong local following through word of mouth and leaflet distribution, and publicity in local parish magazines."
Jackman also produces, with Epping Town Council, a weekly printed version (running to four pages) which  is copied by the council and distributed by them to local GP surgeries, dentists, the church and library. He describes the publication as "a truly community-focused initiative".

• I interviewed David Jackman for an article in MediaGuardian last March about the crisis in the regional press. He told me that a reorganisation meant there was no local newspaper office left in Epping and said: "If redundant local journalists want to stay in local news and on their patch then starting local websites like mine could be the future."