GMG To Take MEN Free For City Centre Readers

The Manchester Evening News is to become a free paper within the city’s central district next week, as publisher Guardian Media Group prepares to distribute 50,000 free copies a day.

The move will not replace the paid-for title, which will continue to sell for 35p outside the city centre. The publisher hopes to boost the paper’s total circulation, which currently stands at 133,801, down 5.6% year on year between July and December 2005.

The free paper will be distributed by hand, as well as through deliveries to offices and via newsagents, which will be paid to distribute the title by GMG.

Last March saw GMG launch MEN Lite, a lightweight version of the paper designed to appeal to younger audiences. However, the latest move could see the title abolished in favour of a fully free, single issue paper.

Guardian Media Group: 020 7713 4452 www.gmgplc.co.uk/