User:Peteinterpol/Radstock and Midsomer Norton Journal

The Radstock, Midsomer Norton and District Journal is a free weekly newspaper circulated in the towns of Midsomer Norton and Radstock, Somerset, and surrounding villages.

Ownership
The newspaper is owned by Midsomer Norton & Radstock Journal Ltd, part of Tindle Newspaper Group, the Surrey-based publisher that owns many local UK titles.

Format and publication
The newspaper is 24 pages published in colour in A4 format. The editorial offices are in Radstock. It is printed on an industrial estate in Midsomer Norton and circulated to supermarkets and other shops.

History
It was first published on June 26th, 1980. It was founded by Steve Shipley. George Donkin later became Steve's partner in the newspaper.

In August 2003, Northcliffe Newspapers (now Northcliffe Media, owned by the Daily Mail), attempted to acquire the title. However, the circulation figures for titles owned by Northcliffe meant that written consent of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry was required.

However, in October 2003 it was reported that the then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Trade and Industry with responsibility for Competition, Gerry Sutcliffe had declined to consent to the transfer of ownership of Northcliffe because of the strength of Northcliffe's titles in the Bristol and Bath area.

As a result, within hours Tindle Newspaper Group led by Sir Ray Tindle acquired the Journal instead, with Donkin continuing to run the Journal part of the company after the takeover. Tindle Newspaper Group own the title to this day, with Donkin currently the General Manager.

Circulation and coverage
At the time of the takeover in 2003, it was reported that the paper had a circulation of 14,000.