Citizen joins the Rochdale Online network
Date published: 25 June 2009
Mike Sheils
The Stockport Citizen is the latest addition to the expanding Rochdale Online network of local websites, a network that also includes the Rochdale Online, Oldham Evening Chronicle, Ask Bury and Ask Rossendale sites.
The Stockport Citizen title is now online using the sophisticated framework, along with ongoing development and support, offered to publishers by Rochdale Online for a comprehensive news and information website.
The owner of the Stockport Citizen and Cheshire Style magazine, Mike Sheils, former Stockport Express group sales and marketing director, said: 'The Stockport Citizen has always been a very well read title but now that, sadly, newspapers are not the power they once were, it is time to move on and publish it online.
"It is a partner to its sister title, Cheshire Style magazine.
"It will be good to work with all the other publications in giving the area unique commercial opportunities."
The Citizen joins Hirst, Kidd and Rennie (HKR), the independently-owned publisher of the Oldham Evening Chronicle, in leveraging the Rochdale Online developed platform HKR also acquired an equity stake in Rochdale Online in 2008.
Bernard Stone, Financial Director of HKR and a director of Rochdale Online, welcomed the new addition to the network saying: "We at the Chronicle are delighted to see the Stockport site go live and wish them every success in their venture. We look forward to working with them and see the expansion of the franchise to the south of Manchester as particularly welcome."
Rochdale Online, established 11 years ago by Malcolm Journeaux, is also understood to be in negotiations to further expand a network that is fast gaining a significant influence in the region.
Journeaux commented: "Mike Sheils is a man with a wealth of knowledge in the media business and of the Stockport area.
"The launch of the Citizen online is I am sure one that will be very much welcomed by the people of Stockport so soon after losing the local office of the town's only currently published newspaper.
"At a time when traditional print media is laying off staff and closing local offices, Rochdale Online is building a network of local news and information websites that are placed at the very heart of local communities.
"Local people run local news sites best and our strategy is to seek out independent publishers who have the local contacts and knowledge but who lack the digital expertise and know how to monetise a credible web presence – expertise and know-how that Rochdale Online has over a decade of experience in providing."
