The Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN) said it understands subscribers to the regional publisher’s 20 county Life magazines are being asked if they would consider receiving their May issue magazine content via an app instead of as a printed copy.

It said Archant claims the new “eco subscription” is not compulsory but told subscribers it would be a chance for them to “save paper”.

The publisher said this is part of a strategy set out in the middle of last year to achieve net zero-emissions at the company.

NFRN’s national president Narinder Randhawa said: “This move comes at a time when the owners are looking to sell the company and just goes to show the contempt that they have for retailers who have supported their titles for decades.”

NFRN’s head of news and Connect Brian Murphy said: “I would remind Archant, and any other publishers who may be thinking of following a similar strategy, that there are very few examples of it being successful.”

Press Gazette reported on the initiative earlier this week after seeing a draft letter from the publisher to subscribers, with an Archant spokesperson confirming the move.

The title quoted an Archant spokesperson as saying the initiative will help the business to mitigate increasing paper and print costs but that the company’s net zero targets were the driver.

“This isn’t about a sudden switch to digital; it’s about encouraging our subscribers to join us in thinking differently about the platform in which they enjoy our content,” the spokesperson said.

“For those subscribers who wish for their content to be delivered as a magazine, there will be no change. For those subscribers who are happy to join our initiative, they will have access to a new app and extensive archive.”

Archant publishes 20 county Life magazines, covering areas across the country including Cheshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Sussex, and Yorkshire.

Last month it was reported by Sky News that Newsquest was in exclusive negotiations with the owners of Archant to take over the business.

Archant was acquired by investment group Rcapital in August 2020 and subsequently put up for sale again in January this year, after the group carried out a full company restructure and sold the New European to a consortium including the former New York Times chief and BBC director general Mark Thompson and the ex-Financial Times editor Lionel Barber.