Newsquest launches hyperlocal websites in the Midlands

by Maisie McCabe, mediaweek.co.uk 17-Apr-09, 15:45

LONDON - The Midlands division of regional publisher Newsquest is to roll out a network of hyperlocal websites for seven of its titles and is looking for unpaid members of the public to write for them.

The website of the Kidderminster Shuttle is the first to launch local modules and its "Your Community" section has pages for 24 different areas of Kidderminster. In addition, there will be 21 sites launched next week in Stourbridge.

Alongside news stories written by Shuttle journalists, the sites will feature news and content from schools, churches, clubs and societies uploaded by unpaid "citizen" journalists who are based in each of the areas.

Newsquest Midlands South will offer local businesses the opportunities to advertise and sponsor the community pages.

The network will be rolled out to a further six titles including the Stourbridge News, Halesowen News, Dudley News, Bromsgrove Advertiser, Redditch Advertiser and Droitwich Spa Advertiser.

Newsquest Midlands South publishes 16 local newspapers and accompanying websites, three magazines and is involved with Fish4cars, Fish4jobs and Fish4homes.

Yesterday (16 April), it was revealed in the results of Newsquest parent company Gannett that Newsquest's ad revenue declined 38.7% year on year in the first quarter of 2009, with property ads down 60%.