A MEDIA owner who has set up a crowdfunding campaign to try and save a series of recently closed weekly papers is urging every one to ‘support your local newspapers — or risk losing them’.

Duncan Williams, who grew up in Yeolmbridge, started a crowdfunding campaign to try and raise £85,000 by March 3 following the closure of the ‘View From’ series, which serves towns in Dorset, Devon and Somerset.

The series ceased publication, resulting in around 20 redundancies, after the titles were bought by Truro City Football Club chairman Peter Masters in July last year, following his earlier buyout of the Liskeard-based Sunday Independent.

“View News is too good to lose,” said Mr Williams, who is a commercial development consultant with News Group Ltd, and runs Dorset-based marketing service the Poole Post.

“This is very sad news indeed for Dorset, Somerset and Devon. Local newspapers are the voice of our communities. In this era of ‘fake news’, brands that have over 100 years of reporting creditably should not be lost. In Dorset we now have whole county dominated by American owned media giant Newsquest.”

Mr Williams grew up in Yeolmbridge, his father worked at the Lifton Ambrosia factory and his grandfather had been CofE vicar at Werrington church.

Mr Williams went on to work in faith news media, turning formerly bankrupt glossy newspapers and magazines into ethical and profitable brands.

“A real challenge,” he admitted. “As selling religion to the mainstream readership market can be one the toughest of briefs to succeed in. But we did it. Not just publishing here in the UK but worldwide. Thanks to winning large advertising and sponsorship deals.

“Advertising revenue is usually absolutely crucial to the long-term financial success of any media brand. The View From series and Pulman Weekly News seem to have come unstuck due to lack of advertising.

“In this age of digital publishing we need to offer advertisers a wide range of platforms that accompany their print newspaper campaigns. This is to ensure they get value and results for their money.

“Above and beyond all, though, we must protect the core value of the newspaper brand. It is the umbrella under which the rest of these new fangled multi-media gizmos and digital widgets draw their marketing credibility.

“A strong and vibrant community is very often made up of a good pub, a good church and a good local paper. There can be a lot of sense in ensuring these are provided for.

“Many local newspapers may even have to consider community ownership programmes, crowdfunding initiatives — like this one at View News — or staff shareholder options, in order to help them to survive.

“Local businesses should always be encouraged to advertise, regarding it as a sense of community responsibility to do so. Larger corporations even more so. In Dorset we have Sunseeker Yachts and LUSH cosmetics. So come on, businesses, get behind the Cornish and Devon Post.

“Please do advertise with and support your local newspapers. Or we risk losing them.”

To view the crowdfunder page, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-view-news-for-local-people/