ABC Regional Newspapers: July-December 2002

The ABC regional newspaper figures for the period July to December 2002 reveal a mixed bag for the top ten paid for regional newspaper groups. Strong performances came from Kent Messenger Weekly Newspaper Group, which saw the total circulation of its titles increase by 3.9% year on year to 151,637 and Central Counties Newspapers Group, which recorded a 2.4% rise in total circulation to 117,146.

At the other end of the scale, Surrey Advertiser All Papers Group saw the total circulation of its titles slip by 10.2% year on year, whilst Sunday World – All Editions Group experienced a 7% decline in total circulation to 283,612. The smaller Chester Chronicle Group also saw circulation fall by 2.5% year on year to 95,375.

The six months to December 2002 proved to be a less than impressive period for the top ten paid for regional newspaper titles, with the majority seeing circulation decline year on year. Dublin Evening Herald was the only title to see circulation increase, recording a modest 0.3% improvement in the July to December period.

The larger Sunday World – Republic Of Ireland Edition and the West Midlands Express & Star – Saturday Edition were the worst hit, with circulation declining by 7.7% and 7.5% respectively. However, the most significant fall in percentage terms was seen at Liverpool Echo (Sat), which slipped by 15.8% year on year to 104,042. The smaller Leicester Mercury also saw circulation drop by 1.9% year on year to 96,760.

Daily Mail & General Trust-owned Northcliffe Newspapers saw the most significant upward movement amongst the top 10 free regional newspaper groups, with the total circulation of its titles increasing by a notable 87.7% year on year to 2,481,731. The smaller KM Extra Group (Kent) was the only other group to see an improvement in the six months to December, with total circulation climbing by 1.7% to 495,396.

At the other end of the scale, Trinity Mirror Southern experienced a sharp decline in the total circulation of its titles, which slipped by 26.4% year on year to 1,244,353. Newsquest South London – South London Guardian Group also had a lacklustre period, with total circulation declining by 10.1% to 562,129. Midland News Association Group managed to remain relatively stable in the six month to September, with the total circulation of its titles declining by 0.3% to 594,691.

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