Print volumes hang in the balance as Bath Chronicle goes weekly

The Bath Chronicle is to downgrade from daily to weekly publication in September, but an increase in page count could offset damage to the print volumes.

Owner Northcliffe Media has decided that weekly publication is the best way to secure the future of the newspaper, which is currently published Monday to Saturday.

The newspaper has an average daily circulation of 12,330 and competes with the Western Daily Press, Bristol Evening Post and the Metro.

Like many regional newspapers, The Bath Chronicle is beset by declining circulation. In the first half of 2003, audited circulation was 15,493 - nearly 20% higher than today's figure

Currently one of the smallest daily newspapers in Britain in terms of page count, the weekly edition will be 250pp and come out on a Thursday.

The Bath Chronicle will continue to provide news on a daily basis through www.thisisbath.com and an email newsletter.

It's expected that the frequency shift will occur in mid-September.
Source: printweek