A Shropshire company has revealed plans to launch a new free monthly glossy magazine in Oswestry in March.
The directors of DTS Media Limited, which is based in Glovers Meadow, Maesbury Road, have a wealth of experience in the industry and say the publication, Oswestry Life, will have a fresh new look and be an integral part of the community.
There are also plans for a spin-off women’s magazine to be printed four times a year and the launch of a new app as part of the service.
The team behind the magazine worked for Reviewmedia Ltd up until last month when it was revealed the media group had gone into voluntary liquidation and all staff had lost their jobs.
Director of DTS Media Ltd David Lee-Birch, 43, said it was a completely new business comprising of an extremely talented team with strong Oswestry connections.
He said it was vital a strong market town like Oswestry had a good quality local magazine to give businesses and the people within the town the chance to shout about all of their success.
“Both myself and fellow director Tracy Leonard have worked in the media industry for many years, most recently with Reviewmedia Limited. We will produce a new monthly 68-page magazine,” Mr Lee-Birch said.
“It will have a much more local feel than the Shropshire Review Oswestry had, it will be a glossy magazine and we see it as being a vital part of the Oswestry community.
“Oswestry Life will be distributed in and around the town and we also plan to print and distribute a women’s magazine as part of the operation four times a year.
“It is a completely new business but we will be making the most of some of the talented people used on the Review.”
Co-director Mrs Leonard, who boasts more than 50 years joint experience with Mr Lee-Birch, added: “We have already received strong messages of support from local people within the town and have been left overwhelmed with the support from former clients of the Review who want to continue advertising in a strong, local print publication.
“We know Oswestry Life has a long and successful life in front of it, being of great benefit to the people of Oswestry.
“As part of our future plans we will be launching an app, which will keep us at the cutting edge of the industry.
“We also intend for a large part of our business to be about creating and hosting quality agency style websites for local companies – a bit of a one-stop shop for getting responses for local advertisers.”
Mr Lee-Birch worked for the Midlands News Association for 23 years, was a business manager and launched the Oswestry and Border Chronicle. He was also responsible for the Pride of Shropshire Awards and Shropshire Business Awards.
Tracy Leonard, 46, lives in Newport and worked at the Shropshire Star for 11 years, ending her time there as advertising manager on the Newport Advertiser and the Market Drayton Advertiser.
She then worked on Severn FM before joining Reviewmedia two years ago to look after the County Woman magazine. Mrs Leanord was also an integral part of the launch of Shropshire Review Oswestry.
Aileen Selkirk, who worked for Reviewmedia for more than 30 years, will be a designer on the new publication and Eluned Watson will be a major contributor to Oswestry Life.
Mr Lee-Birch, a father of two who lives in Oswestry added: “We have a tried and tested team that knows the area and what is required of a publication in Oswestry. We are all committed to the success of Oswestry Life and are eagerly anticipating our first edition.”
For more information email David@oswestry.life or Tracy@oswestry.life