The paper, published by Archant KOS Media, now offers more in-depth reporting with new sections as well as comment by leading figures across the county.
It has been completely redesigned by an in-house team, led by chief sub Dave Hobday, with a fresh layout and changed typography. New features include a picture-led front page, new-look contents full page, Seven Days – stories that made the week’s headlines, revamped Arts and Food and Drink pages and a Big Story feature spread.
Editor Chris Britcher said it was the biggest revamp of the paper, which celebrated its 11th anniversary earlier this month, for many years.
He said: “Kent is such a vibrant county. We believe this new, improved look will provide us with a platform to showcase just what it is like to live and work here.
“We are all very excited by the new approach we are taking as we believe it will deliver even greater value to our readers and loyal advertisers.”
The paper varies between 56 and 96 pages each week and the circulation is more than 40,000 copies. Distribution is a combination of pick-up and home delivery.
As part of the relaunch, Kent on Sunday has set out its 10 guiding principles and appointed an editorial advisory board of leading figures in the county to offer advice on whether the paper is sticking to them. Board members will also be free to suggest potential topics of interest to the editorial team.
Publisher Simon Irwin said he felt it was the right time for a relaunch and for Kent on Sunday to demonstrate it was different.
“Kent on Sunday is different. It is the only paper that covers the whole of the county. We are distributed in every postcode in Kent. We are the only weekend paper in Kent. No other newspaper does what we do. As such, we felt that we should stand out from the crowd more and this new paper does just that.
“We showed dummies of the new paper to existing and prospective advertisers and got an overwhelmingly positive response. This weekend, the readers got their chance to pass their verdict. We await the results with interest but, obviously we hope they like it.”
The guiding principles include: seeking to celebrate as well as constructively criticise; champion causes that are important to the wellbeing of the county and its people; highlight topical issues of concern; not be overly sensational; have a sense of humour and have an easily understood division between news, comment and advertising.
The Editorial Advisory Panel includes: Paul Carter, Leader of Kent County Council; Rodney Chambers, Leader of Medway Council; The Right Rev Trevor Willmott, Bishop of Dover; Jo James, chief executive, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce; Liz Haigh-Reeve, director of income generation, Demelza Hospice Care for Children; Ann Barnes, Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent; Kevin Attwood, chairman Kent
County Agricultural Society; Amanda Cottrell, chairman Visit Kent and patron of Produced in Kent.
Simon said: “The panel will tell us, at regular meetings, whether we are following our principles as well as advising us on important issues they believe we should cover.”
