The Blackpool Gazette is promising “a new look, a new outlook” ahead of its relaunch on April 8th.
The Johnson Press title is celebrating its 140th year in 2013, with its first ever edition hitting the news-stands on April 3, 1873. That was a weekly with the daily version arriving in 1929.
In a column in the newspaper, editor Jon Rhodes wrote of the redesign:
“Keeping all your much-loved sections, but enhancing them with a bold new design, we aim to remain the number one place Fylde coast residents to turn for local news and views. Added to that we have several new editorial platforms within the newspaper.”
These include an 8-page “ultra-local community news pull-out. Named FYi (based around the Fylde postcode), “it will cover everything that is wonderful about this unique part of the world.”
Rhodes describes it as a print version of a community noticeboard, with community journalists explaining what’s happening in their towns and villages:
“One of the most exciting things about FYi is the fact it is written by both Gazette journalists and local correspondents – members of the public.”
The paper will also feature local, independent traders nominated by readers to show how they are “beating the recession by offering good products and fantastic customer service.”
“There will be a platform to highlight the tireless work community groups do across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre while also featuring those readers who go the extra mile for charity.”
Rhodes said that with the combination of FYi and the main paper, his team would be offering more news as well as being “totally interactive.”
