Forum Topic

Hounslow & Brentford Times

They were giving out copies of the new compact colour Hounslow & Brentford Times at the station this morning. I thought the content was good (especially the sports section) and I particularly liked the new look and feel which was quite impressive for a local paper.Has anyone else seen it and if so, what do you think?

James de Vivenot ● 6407d10 Comments

"I might try the Chiswick edition instead"There's only the free "The Chiswick", delivered free in Chiswick or available from estate agents.  The 50p paper is the same Hounslow & Brentford Times that you have.  I've given up buying it.

Richard Jennings ● 6391d

I agree - there's nothing local in it - awful.

Vanessa Smith ● 6392d

Well, I just don't like the new smaller tabloid size. Indeed I don't like tabloids!I preferred the broadsheet...better feel to it..and something special when you arrived at the centre pages with the Editorial and so on. Rant over.Not a mention of Chiswick restaurants and so forth in the cheapo looking tabloid.. so I might try the Chiswick edition instead. It will no doubt have Brentford and Isleworth news as well.

Jim Lawes ● 6392d

The redesign was long overdue as even the Rich and Twick no longer had sufficient content to fill a broadsheet design let alone the p*ss poor versions we saw in this borough. This was reflected in plummeting sales - down 17% last year for the Richmond title according to the Press Gazette. With that sort of freefall something had to be done. Both Councils using their inhouse magazines more for publicity will also probably have hit them hard. Reducing story content and putting in more colour allows more ads to be included and more to be charged for them. Padding the whole thing out with syndicated lifestyle content is hardly Pulitzer prize winning stuff but it is better than trying and failing to be a paper of record. The Newsquest Group may just be managing decline of their local titles but overall they have done a good job with the revamp.

Justin Harris ● 6403d

I thought at least you would be bothered about Hampton Vanessa!!!

w John Michael Atkinson ● 6406d

I was given a copy and was quite impressed. I'd long stopped getting its predecessor. Content wise it wasn't much with the exception of sport which was possibly worth the cover price alone. Otherwise it remains a Richmond paper with a few stories from this borough thrown in but it may take a while for the journalists to get used to the new format.  The problem with the BCIT was that it hardly ever featured Brentford and now that it has been amalgamated with the other borough newspaper it may be that truly local stories get even scarcer particularly as there will be less space. The design is good and the colour makes a huge difference. It seems strange that they didn't take advantage of the new format by going for a more striking photo on the front cover. I don't think I would be a regular reader but I would certainly look out for it on newsstands to see if had an eye-catching lead item.

Dan Evans ● 6406d

Totally agree - it hasn't been the same since it was sold -I think it's lazy journalism, I really don't get too bothered about Hampton, Barnes etc. - a local paper should have local news.

Vanessa Smith ● 6406d

""still far too much Twickenham,Richmond and Kew etc news in it for my liking""Paul,It provides an opportunity to see how the uvver 'alf lives!I await the arrival of this week's issue..and will look out for Brentford matters.. letter from Mrs Keen about Watermans? or about Heathrow?

Jim Lawes ● 6407d

I like the format though it will take some getting use to but still far too much Twickenham,Richmond and Kew etc news in it for my liking and the letters page is a farce considering the title of the paper is now The Hounslow and Brentford Times.

Paul Fisher ● 6407d

I have not yet seen it but one of the journalists contacted me yesterday to advise that it was coming out. Let's hope there is room in the market for 2 local tabloids. The competition should spur staff on both papers.

John Connelly ● 6407d