The Reading Chronicle, one of Trinity Mirror's flagship
newspapers in the South East, has undergone a transformation to position it as a
modern, vibrant paper for the Reading of today and tomorrow - with a deliberate
decision to remain in its unique broadsheet format.
The Berkshire paper has seen a complete design and content
overhaul, under the guidance of new editor Simon Jones.
And its sister free newspaper - The Midweek Chronicle - has also
been given the relaunch treatment with a new name (Chronicle Extra), design, and
extra editorial pages.
The new-look Reading Chronicle is designed to be a better local
read, offering an expanded letters section, revitalised pages for Reading's
outlying villages, a new-look tabloid leisure guide and, crucially, a whole new
approach to the news agenda.
Jones said: "Reading has changed enormously over the past 15
years and we want the paper to reflect a more modern, forward-looking, confident
town, while understanding and empathising with our readers' concerns,
aspirations and expectations."
In addition, the sports section is undergoing a major overhaul
to coincide with Reading Football Club's promotion to the Premiership.The free newspaper will also benefit from more sports
pages.
The decision to remain broadsheet is vital to the Chronicle's
competitive position in the town, said TMS editorial director Marc Reeves: "The
Chronicle is up against a daily tabloid in a fiercely-fought newspaper town, and
we see our current format as key to remaining distinct and different to the
opposition."
