New look looming for Sunday Herald

THE Sunday Herald is to be redesigned, to become a single section news magazine.

As correctly speculated by allmediascotland three weeks ago, the new Sunday Herald is to hit the newsstands next week.

Says the paper today: “This new year, then, offers no shortage of challenges, not least for the Sunday Herald itself. Next week sees us launch a different type of newspaper, one which we hope retains the radical and innovative spirit which has been its hallmark since its launch in 1999.

“The most striking aspect of the new Sunday herald is that it will be published as a one-section stitched news magazine. Its 92 pages will be printed on top-quality, enhanced paper which will better project the quality of our journalism and the design and photographic skills which last year won us the title of Europe’s best week weekly newspaper.

“The new-look Sunday herald will continue to provide first-class, up-to-the-minute coverage of news (international and national), sport, arts and books, fashion, food and business. But we will do so in a different way, going behind the headlines and offering in-depth analysis, reportage and investigations.

“The new Sunday Herald will continue to feature your favourite writers – Iain Macwhirter, Ian Bell, Joanna Blythman, Alan Taylor, David Pratt, Vicky Allan, Damien Love and Rob Edwards among them – and many of your favourite features, including the essay of the week from our former Opinion section.

“We have been working for weeks on ideas for the new Sunday Herald. You’ll have the chance to see the fruits of those labours next Sunday. We believe the new ideas, new design and new features will offer readers a distinctive package unlike anything else being produced in Scotland.

“We believe it’s better to be different than safe. We believe that the best of Scottish journalism – brave, honest, outward-looking and dynamic – can stand comparison with any in the world, a belief vindicated by the title of best weekly newspaper in Europe. We believe we’ve found the best format to give that journalism a platform. We hope that, when you open the new Sunday Herald next week, you’ll agree.”

Today’s paper comprised a 48-page main section, plus a 24-page sports supplement and a 40-page, stitched magazine that includes TV listings.