In a continuation of MD Stuart Parker's 'low cost base, small profit' model, the free to pick up paper, which focuses on good news and has a 'soft' editorial stance, is looking to build on the relatively low-key yet positive starts made by sister titles The Cheshire Independent and The Bury Independent.

Issue one

Also, like its sister in Bury, Parker claims that he and the team have "made a small profit" on the first issue, bucking the pervasive trend of doom and gloom that is currently enveloping the local newspaper scene.

He told How-Do he was "absolutely chuffed to bits with the job... through my biased eyes it looks great" and added that the team of "Dave Beavers, Lynn Ashworth and Marilyn Hart have done us proud."

Again an initial plan to manage the print run at 10,000 has been raised to 15,000, with distribution points found locally at sites such as pubs, leisure centres and supermarkets.

Big Spark is believed to be looking at further opportunities to augment its portfolio of titles in the future.

A buoyant Parker noted it was "onwards and upwards from here".

www.bigspark.co.uk

Did you enjoy this article? Please share it!

Comments (5)