I’ve written a lot about the decline of local newspapers, criticising the Camberley News & Mail for the paucity of their coverage of local news, and seeing a rise in local social media outlets filling the void left by them.
Well, now I’m happy to say that following its change to the Camberley & Sandhurst News & Mail, it seems to be a reinvigorated newspaper. In the past I’ve counted less than 10% of its content being about Camberley or Surrey Heath.
I bought last week’s paper and was pleasantly surprised with its improved coverage of events in Surrey Heath and nearby places. I estimate that almost 70% of the paper’s content is about stuff in and around Camberley.
The decision to move the paper’s focus away from Aldershot and Farnham is producing a paper relevant to a readership in Camberley, Sandhurst and Surrey Heath. Credit should go, I guess, to the editorial team, but also to their new reporter, James Chapple.
I’ll start taking the paper again, as it’s doing what local press should do, providing extensive coverage of local news and events. Improving their online offering is their next challenge.
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