Chic To Close Straight After Relaunch

Chic magazine is to be closed just months after it was relaunched by publishers Northern & Shell (see Chic To Relaunch After Two Years).

The publishers claim that WH Smith is demanding trading margins which are too high to keep the magazine viable with its current circulation. Until the dispute is settled the magazine will be put on an indefinite suspension. A spokesperson for Northern & Shell said the title may be relaunched some time in 1999.

Chairman Richard Desmond said: “What is happening in the publishing world means that independents like ourselves do not get to play on a level playing field. We had been looking forward to relaunching Chic magazine with extensive promotion, big budgets and a top team including Eve Pollard as editor in chief. But these policies from the news trade mean new independent initiatives are being strangled at birth.”

Northern & Shell is also reviewing the future of a number of adult titles which are also suffering from high distribution costs.

Northern & Shell: 0171 308 5090