As reported by the Newspaper Society:
On Saturdays, an Ipswich edition of the EADT will be launched to provide an alternative read for regular Ipswich Evening Star readers. The Star is changing from a six day-a-week newspaper to a Monday to Friday title, positioned for its Greater Ipswich and Felixstowe market place.
On Thursdays the paid-for The Star will be supplemented by a 25,000 circulation free, home-delivered, edition distributed later that day. The paper will be renamed the Ipswich Star, with an edition called the Felixstowe Star, reflecting properly its overnight publishing pattern and its geographic strongholds.
At the same time a new free weekly title, the Stowmarket Mercury, will be launched catering exclusively for one of Suffolk’s fastest-growing market towns. These changes will all take place in the week commencing 23 January.
Archant Anglia mananging director, Johnny Hustler, said: “Ipswich has found the going tough economically over the past few years. The requirements of our readers and advertisers are changing and we must adapt and innovate if we are to meet their needs in the future. These proposals are designed to rebalance our activities and focus so that we satisfy our customers’ needs and grow our audience in the times ahead.
“Our strategy is for growth and these proposed changes are designed to help us in that.”
Nigel Pickover, The Star editor, said: “The Star is a powerful and potent title, winning many fights for its readers and advertisers, and we look forward to continuing to serve our communities in Greater Ipswich and Felixstowe.”
Terry Hunt, EADT editor, said: “Our Saturday edition, already the best-selling of the week, will now be strengthened further and we hope many more readers will be able to enjoy its news, sports and feature platforms.
“In Stowmarket, our new weekly title, part of our Mercury family, will feature news, sport and events in one of Suffolk’s fastest-growing towns.”
