20/08/2008

Six, free local newspapers - all but one operating in Glasgow - have been shut down after its publisher yesterday was declared bust.

Premier Publishing - the brainchild of a former magazine publisher at The Herald, Campbell Murdoch - was only recently winning plaudits and at least one industry award for its product launches. Just over a year old and expansionist, it not only quickly created new titles, it would then rapidly move to increase the frequency of their publication.

The titles affected are West End News and counterparts for the east, north and south of the city. They were joined by a city centre edition and a newspaper serving nearby Inverclyde.

Murdoch was unavailable for comment. But last week, the website, printweek.com, quoted a spokesperson from Sunday Post publisher, DC Thomson, denying any interest in taking a stake in Premier Publishing - in an equity-for-debt deal.

Four full-time editorial staff are affected, plus ad sales staff.

Under threat of closure in Glasgow's east end is Johnston Press’s Glasgow East News.

Comment: A real shame, given that the papers were well liked by those who got the chance to read them. And I enjoyed the chance to write news, features and sports stories plus a weekly column as well as acting as editor, news editor, sports editor and one-man picture desk. To all media executives out there: please contact jjmaclean@hotmail.co.uk soon before my typing fingers are worn away by washing dishes, making packed lunches for the kids and pushing a Dyson. Cheers! John Maclean (Ex-editor, Premier Publishing)

Comment: I can’t say I’m surprised at this company going bust. They refused to pay me for a story I wrote for them in April and I got the impression they were trying to simply sweep as many debts under the carpet as they could. A colleague of mine who wrote for them regularly was treated in the exact same way. It’s a real shame for the staff though and I hope they manage to get at least some of the money they’re owed. Michelle Robertson.

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