London Lite to close Friday 13 November

Associated Newspapers has confirmed that the final issue of the London Lite will be published next Friday, 13 November.

The publisher announced on October 27 that it would be entering a period of consultation over the paper’s future after the Evening Standard took the decision to go free.

Speaking in October, the managing director of Associated Newspapers Free Division, Steve Auckland,  said: “The latest development in the London afternoon free newspaper space dictates that we look again at the future of London Lite.

“Despite reaching a large audience with an excellent editorial format, we are concerned about the commercial viability in this highly competitive area.”

Rival freesheet thelondonpaper was closed down by News International in September, with the company saying that it wanted to “focus investment on core titles”.