BW editor Sam Hawcroft has become the co-owner of local weekly newspaper the Holderness & Hornsea Gazette.
Sam and sales director Zoe Broom completed the buyout of the Withernsea-based title from previous publisher Brian Adcock, who owned the Gazette with his wife Judy, at the end of February.
Brian said: “After more than 45 years as director/shareholder of the Gazette I am delighted to announce the sale of the full shareholding in the company to two of its very loyal and talented staff.
“Editor Sam Hawcroft and production/sales operative Zoe Broom now own the business.
“I have enjoyed every minute of my involvement and development of the newspaper over the years and thank all who have supported me and the Gazette.
“It is sad to leave but I can assure all our readers the Gazette is in good hands.
“I wish Sam and Zoe all the very best in challenging times.”
To mark the new era, Sam and Zoe have given the logo and branding an update, and have also launched a digital edition, an online business directory and a website shop selling books by local authors.
The Gazette has also signed up to Ipso (Independent Press Standards Organisation), the leading regulator of publications in the UK.
The pair received business support and advice from Alan Gordon-Freeman at Hedon-based Sirius Enterprise Agency.
Sam said: “Alan has been really helpful in so many ways, from honing our business plan in the early stages to pointing us towards a variety of essential business and legal/HR resources. Sirius will continue to offer support and mentoring as we go on this journey, which is brilliant.”
Sam said she was passionate about local news and felt there was very much still a need for a paper that was at the heart of its community.
She said: “While we want to develop and modernise our online offering, I wholeheartedly believe in print – it’s a trusted format that people still want. Corporate entities have done their best to kill off hyperlocal journalism in the past couple of decades, but we remain proudly independent and now entirely locally run.
“This opportunity is an honour and a privilege – and I want to urge people to get involved.
“Get in touch, send us your news, events, sports reports. We are here for you.
“We’re already bringing in a few new things, so watch this space, and of course we are hugely open to suggestions as to what you want to see in your paper.”
Zoe said: “Having worked at the Gazette for more than 21 years and living in Holderness all my life, I am very passionate about the paper and the area, and I firmly believe that Sam and I can move it forward in a positive way. We both live locally – I have children at the high school – and we care deeply about this area.
“I am very excited about what the future holds for the Gazette and am looking forward to the challenges along the way.”
It comes after the Gazette moved premises last October, leaving its HQ at Seaside Road in Withernsea for the old Southgates office further up Queen Street.
Sam and Zoe are keen to see the newspaper back in the centre of town and are still actively looking for suitable new premises.
