The Teesdale Mercury, a historic newspaper, is now part of Barrnon Media’s expanding local media portfolio, marking its 170th anniversary.
- Founded in 1854, the Teesdale Mercury becomes the latest addition to Andy Barr’s collection of regional newspapers.
- Barrnon Media’s acquisition aims to preserve the tradition of local news amidst a changing media landscape.
- Former owner Carolyn Vane has expressed confidence in Barr’s stewardship to maintain the paper’s community role.
- The Teesdale Mercury’s dedicated team is praised for sustaining the publication through challenging times.
The historic Teesdale Mercury, established in 1854, has officially joined Barrnon Media’s growing portfolio of regional publications as it celebrates its 170th anniversary. Andy Barr, the owner of Barrnon Media, has expanded his media footprint with this acquisition, which also includes the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald and the Keswick Reminder, alongside the Cumbria Crack website.
Andy Barr began Barrnon Media in 2020 in response to potential closure threats faced by his local paper, the Herald. His acquisition strategy reflects a commitment to maintaining local and independent news outlets, which he views as essential to community engagement and information dissemination. The synergies between the Teesdale Mercury and Barr’s existing publications in Cumbria were a natural fit, according to Barr.
Carolyn Vane, the former owner of the Teesdale Mercury, was motivated by a desire to ensure the paper’s long-term sustainability. She expressed her belief that Barr’s approach, which aligns closely with the community-centric values held by the Vane family, would secure the paper’s future. “The Teesdale Mercury has been in family ownership for many years and plays an important role in the Teesdale community,” Vane stated, expressing her confidence in Barr’s stewardship.
The Teesdale Mercury, under the editorship of Stuart Laundy since August of last year, has a storied past, having been under the long-term leadership of predecessor Trevor Brookes. Despite the challenges that the media landscape poses, Laundy and his team have received commendation from Vane for their resilience and dedication.
The acquisition not only highlights the changing dynamics of regional media ownership but also underscores the continued importance of such publications in providing trusted local news. Andy Barr’s vision involves leveraging the lessons learned from past acquisitions to further develop these community staples.
The acquisition of the Teesdale Mercury by Barrnon Media signifies a strategic effort to preserve and strengthen local journalism.
