Punch Is Out For The Count After 160 Years

Punch, the fortnightly satirical magazine owned by Mohamed Al Fayed, is to close after almost 160 years of publication.

The magazine, which was first published in 1841, has seen subscriptions fall below 6,000 and with each edition costing over £40,000 to produce, the title has ceased to become commercially viable. Eight of the magazine’s twelve staff have already been made redundant, but four will stay on to maintain the website, which will continue for the time being.

Al Fayed, who has invested £16m in the magazine, said: “The warmth with which many people welcomed the return of Punch has not been reflected in sales. I have done everything in my power to keep the magazine alive by pumping in massive amounts of cash. But it simply no longer makes commercial sense to keep an ailing publication afloat indefinitely.”

This is the second time that the magazine, which is famous for its satirical sketches and cartoons parodying famous figures, has closed. It originally folded in 1992 before Al Fayed decided to revive the title in 1996. He will retain his ownership of the title and its library of 500 cartoons.

Punch: 0207 225 6716 www.punch.co.uk

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