Latest ABC figures for regional dailies shows continuing migration from print

Figures released this lunchtime from the Audit Bureau of Circulation for regional papers shows the decline in print sales shows little sign of lessening. In contrast, the figures for online readership which are released separately, are likely to show further marked growth.

Some of the North’s weeklies are actually holding up surprisingly well, with titles including the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald, the South Lakes Citizen, Runcorn and Widnes World and the North Yorkshire Advertiser all down marginally year to year.

A couple of titles including the Goole Courier and the Chorley Citizen even recorded an increase over the year with the latter enjoying a rise of over 500 copies per week.

One title which in the circumstances may take a little comfort from the figures will be the Daily Post in Wales, which continues to demonstrate resilience in its market with its sales decline markedly slower than its peers, both in the Trinity stable and across other groups.

Andy Gilpin, executive editor of the Daily Post Wales told Prolific North: “The Daily Post is still seeing the benefit of the brave decision to editionalise in 2010. The “east” and “west” editions have allowed us to target the vast content of news in North Wales to readers from the Anglesey, Conwy and Gwynedd areas (west) as well as Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire (east).

“We’ve kept up the campaigning edge of the newspaper which readers really seem to respond too. At the moment we’re pressuring the local health board to think again with it’s controversial revamp plans which include moving neonatal intensive care over the border to Arrowe Park hospital. On top of that we’re also calling for better broadband speeds in North Wales and the right to use social media to report public meetings instantly.

“Add to this the renaissance of North Wales sporting teams such as Wrexham FC – top of the Conference and about to enjoy their first trip to Wembley in 149 years – it all adds up to another good year for North Wales and the Daily Post.”

Overall however, the figures are unlikely to surprise many in the industry.

The figures for the daily titles follow below and relate to average sales for the six month periods ending in December 2011 and 2012.