Launched on Thursday 18 October, the Midland News Association-produced paper is being delivered to more than 22,000 homes in Kidderminster, with an additional 1,600 copies sold in the surrounding villages.
(Pictured (from left): The Kidderminster Express & Star team Sue Smith, Will Ackerman, Lisa Kellett, Alex Walker, Glyn Law and John Slim.)
Produced on the same day, the new weekly edition will be filled with local news, along with the very latest national and international stories, sport and opinion.
MNA managing director Phil Inman said: “We will be reaching 35,000 local readers with the best evening paper in the regional press, free of charge.
“The Express & Star is making a long term commitment to allow Kidderminster readers to sample the Midlands Newspaper of the Year 2012, every week.
“We believe that this new offering will be valued by readers and advertisers, with 86% of the households within its footprint receiving a free copy every week.”
The weekly Express & Star replaces the MNA’s Kidderminster Chronicle weekly. The Express & Star’s Dudley & Wyre Forest edition will remain on sale in the Kidderminster area on all other publication days.
In 2009, the Express & Star launched a free weekly edition for Stafford.
A recent study by research company Press Ahead showed the Stafford edition was now read by more adults in its area than any other local title.
The Stafford edition moved from Wednesday to Thursday last month.
Mr Inman added: “The move was requested by advertisers, who wanted to see their advertising appear closer to the weekend. This move has given our advertising teams a strong foundation to build upon.”
The research also found regular readers said the Express & Star was trusted and informative with relevant engaging local content. They also said they turned to it first for information on what’s on, property, jobs and motors.
