Manchester In Local Newspaper War

A newspaper circulation war broke out on the streets of Manchester on Friday as two rival free morning newspapers launched, both with the same name. The Guardian Media group had been planning its Manchester Metro News since August (see Guardian To Launch Manchester Morning Paper) but its planned trial launch this Wednesday was brought forward as Associated Newspapers rushed out its own local offering, Metro North West.

Based on its London Metro, Associated claims to have exclusive rights to the name and distribution in the city despite the fact that the Guardian group has been publishing a weekly MetroNews title in the city for 12 years.

Senior directors from both companies were on the streets of the city on Friday giving out copies to push their own offering. John Knight, spokesman for the Guardian group, said that this was not a one-off as far as his company was concerned. “Our directors want to get a real taste of the market”, he said.

Both papers look very similar, with national and regional news and local entertainment guides. The Guardian’s Manchester MetroNews has been enticing readers with free breakfast each day of the launch period, including Kellogg’s Nutragrain bars and fresh doughnuts.

There was no-one available to comment on distribution figures at Associated Newspapers today and estimates have varied wildly between 25,000 and 100,000. The Guardian Group was not releasing any distribution figures today.

Metro North West: 0161 836 5152 Manchester Guardian: 0161 832 7200