Moving from a subscriber-only Berliner format paper, printed by Newsquest, to an A4 magazine-style publication, the paper will now be available across the UK in an initial print run of 10,000 for newsstands.
The move to retail represents Byline Times’ ambitious growth strategy, backed by 25% year-on-year growth for the indie title, which has won 30,000 subscribers through its coverage of politics and the UK media.
The launch is the UK’s first retail newspaper launch since 2016.
Hardeep Matharu, editor, said: “For too long, Britain has lacked a real independent and investigative newspaper, excavating issues that the established press can't or won't delve into.
“Bringing our readers thought-provoking reports, analysis and cultural voices that will enable them to make up their own minds on some of the biggest issues of the day, the newspaper's launch into retail marks a landmark moment for Byline Times.”
The paper has secured stock agreements with around 1,500 independent newsagents, 600 WH Smith stores, and 50 branches of Waitrose, with talks in progress with other stockists.
Byline Times has engaged Dorset-based eco-print firm Blackmore Press to print the new version.
The first A4 edition was printed on Blackmore’s Komori GL540 Advance sheetfed press for covers, and cold-set web-based Solna/Global G150 presses with four high towers and 630mm cut-off for the text, in a 4+64pp full-colour pagination.
Byline Times came to Blackmore through recommendation, according to Andrew Robbins, the firm’s managing director.
He told Printweek: “We are one of the largest independent newspaper printers in the UK, offering tabloid and true A4 formats, printed on our environmentally-friendly presses and backed up by our award-winning environmental credentials.”
The first retail run of the monthly title has seen significant success, with the printer and paper set to discuss whether it might increase future circulation figures.
Stephen Colgrave, the paper’s co-founder, told Printweek that the move into retail was a vital part of the newspaper’s strategy to move away from a largely social media-based presence.
He said: “We wanted to get out to the general public, have more of an impact, and get more people out there to read us
“You don’t really want to be at the mercy of algorithms – the old-school way of getting into the shops and newsagents gives you independence.”
Colgrave added that the partnership with Blackmore had been extremely smooth.
He said: “They have been fantastic.
“They have a really good designer, who has worked with our own designer to help us adapt to the new format. We have really enjoyed the process.”
