The Coventry Telegraph is moving to early morning
publication.
From October 2 2006, and for the first time in more than 60
years, Coventry's daily paper will be printed in the early hours of the morning
every day.
People across Coventry and Warwickshire will be able to buy
their paper on their way to work. And readers who have their paper delivered
will be able to read all their local news over the breakfast table.
Editor Alan Kirby said: "This is a wonderful new opportunity for
the Telegraph and I am proud to be leading this fantastic initiative.
"The Telegraph was originally a morning paper and became an
evening in the 1950s. In those days of course our readers' lives were completely
different - the paper was their only source of news and information.
"Today things are very different. People's buying habits have
changed dramatically and they have so much more competing for their leisure
time.
"We can no longer dictate to readers when they should receive
their paper. Making it available from early morning gives us far more
opportunity for sales."
Kirby is convinced that, while still an important part of the
package, breaking news is no longer the prime driver of sales for a local
evening newspaper.
He said: "Our website will be the priority for breaking news.
That has the immediacy to match and beat our rivals in broadcasting and new
media.
"The Telegraph's localness - its community news, its pictures of
people and its interaction with readers - will continue to be its strength.
People love us for our unique blend of local editorial and advertising and we
must strive to build on that reputation."
The paper will continue to publish local editions for its
readers in Coventry and Warwickshire. Mastheads will drop the word 'Evening' to
become Coventry Telegraph, Nuneaton Telegraph and Warwickshire Telegraph.
To enable the new publishing time there will be some alterations
to working hours for some staff. Any changes will be made in full consultation
with those employees involved.
Kirby said: "I am proud to have worked for the Telegraph for 33
years. This is the most important initiative for the paper in all that time and
I am really looking forward to this exciting new period in the life of the
Telegraph."
