Stockport Citizen joins Rochdale Online

The Rochdale Online network of local websites has got a new member as The Stockport Citizen joins the Oldham Chronicle, Ask Bury and Ask Rossendale sites.

The Citizen is now using the same framework as the other publications.

“The Stockport Citizen has always been a very well read title but now that, sadly, newspapers are not the power they once were, it is time to move on and publish it online,” said Stockport Citizen and Cheshire Style  magazine owner, Mike Sheils.
 
"It will be good to work with all the other publications in giving the area unique commercial opportunities."

The Citizen now joins the increasing stable of publications from Hirst, Kidd and Rennie (HKR), the independently owned company behind the Oldham Evening Chronicle, which took an equity stake in Rochdale Online a year ago.
 
"We at the Oldham Chronicle are delighted to see the Stockport site go live and wish them every success in their venture. We look forward to working with them and see the expansion of the franchise to the south of Manchester as particularly welcome," added Bernard Stone, financial director of HKR and a director of Rochdale Online.

Rochdale Online’s founder, Malcolm Journeaux is also looking to expand the network further:
 
"The launch of the Citizen online is I am sure one that will be very much welcomed by the people of Stockport so soon after losing the local office of the town's only currently published newspaper."

Journeaux was talking of the Express, but earlier this month Big Spark launched the monthly Stockport Independent.

 
"At a time when traditional print media is laying off staff and closing local offices, Rochdale Online is building a network of local news and information websites that are placed at the very heart of local communities.
 
"Local people run local news sites best and our strategy is to seek out independent publishers who have the local contacts and knowledge but who lack the digital expertise and know how to monetise a credible web presence – expertise and know how that Rochdale Online has over a decade of experience in providing.”
 

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