Following a redesign by Barcelona-based creative agency Cases i Associates, 22 newspapers' new designs were shown for the first time last week.

It is the first step in the company’s plan to relaunch its 170 paid-for titles as "more integrated digital and print hybrid offerings".

Each of the relaunches will be supported by a major marketing campaign, including outdoor advertising, online media and local promotional activity.

The first phase includes five regional daily titles moving to a weekly print format – the Peterborough Evening Telegraph, Northampton Chronicle & Echo, Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph, Scarborough Evening News and Halifax Courier.

Chief executive Ashley Highfield said: "For these five, the internet will become the hourly and daily pulse of the community – all five will also have iPad apps – with a physical paper provided once a week for analysis, review and comment. We expect to see an overall increase in readership and profitability as a result."

Other newspapers relaunching this week are the Northumberland Gazette, Harrogate Advertiser, Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale Herald, Knaresborough Post, Wetherby News, Ripon Gazette & Boroughbridge Herald, West Sussex County Times and Bucks Herald, which all convert from broadsheet to compact format.

The Mansfield Chad, Derbyshire Times, Eastwood Advertiser, Ilkeston Advertiser, Belper News and Ripley & Heanor News have also been relaunched, as well as three free newspapers in the Northeast – the Washington Star, Peterlee Star and Seaham & Houghton Star – which will become paid-for publications.

Highfield added: "My ambition is for all of our titles to be more relevant in this digital age, not less relevant, and the relaunches will put us on the right path to engaging even more productively with our audiences."