The iconic London Evening Standard has bid farewell to its daily editions and is set to make a bold move to a weekly format under the new title, The London Standard. This transition comes as a response to declining circulation numbers, with the paper’s daily circulation dropping significantly over the past five years.
The decision to rebrand and shift to a weekly publication was announced in May, with the final daily paper being printed recently. The move is part of an effort to reach new readers and reflect the vibrancy of London, according to Albert Read, executive chairman of the London Evening Standard.
The paper, which has been a staple in London since its original incarnation in 1827, became free of charge in 2009 and gained popularity among commuters in the capital. However, changes in reading habits, such as increased working from home and the availability of Wi-Fi on the Tube, have impacted its circulation.
Despite the challenges, the paper’s parent company remains optimistic about the future, pointing to the success of its sister publication, The Independent, which transitioned to a digital-only operation in 2016 and has seen growth in readership and commercial success.
The London Standard will continue to have a strong digital presence, with millions of people accessing its platforms every month. The paper’s distribution slots will be taken up by City AM, a free daily focusing on business and finance, in a deal that aims to bring together two formidable titles.
As the London Evening Standard embarks on this new chapter, it will be interesting to see how the rebranding and shift to a weekly format will resonate with readers and whether it will help revitalize the paper’s presence in the ever-evolving media landscape.
