Hachette Filipacchi suspends publication of B Magazine

by Sarah Woods, Brand Republic 31-Mar-06, 11:00

LONDON - Hachette Filipacchi UK's women's monthly lifestyle magazine B has been suspended from the May issue, a decision that affects about 20 staff.

The future of the title, which includes real-life stories and celebrity news, will be decided following a one-month internal review. Around 20 staff have now entered into a 30-day consultation period.

The magazine is edited by Nina Ahmed, who replaced Frances Sheen last year. It was relaunched in 2005 following a complete revamp but its sales fell 10.1% over the last six months of 2005, from 167,371 copies to 150,536, according to ABC figures.

The suspension follows the closure of Hachette's teen spin-off ElleGirl at the end of last year and the suspension of its Crime Confidential magazine in January.

A spokesperson for Hachette said: "B has not been closed but Hachette has suspended publication of the title from the May issue [on sale April 5] until further notice pending a review by the publisher.

"The review will last 30 days and a decision on the future of the title will be made on completion of this review.

Hachette rival Emap has also suffered in the women's market with the recent closure of Slimming and Health Plus.

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