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MagNorth became a 'thing' in March 2022, following months of deliberation and discussion between Colin Petch and several rather impressive Northern journalistic and writer-types.
If there ever was an initial plan; it was (in a small way) to try and turn the tide on the hollowing out of regional media in the North - and tell some of the stories that matter to the people and communities across our patch - that are often overlooked.
From the outset, MagNorth has been about inclusion, equality of opportunity and the amplification of voices that traditionally might not have felt heard. What became clear incredibly early on, was there had been an abject need for such a North of England-based platform for some time.
The publication and team have had an eventful - and sometimes eye-watering/jaw-dropping - few years. From the outset, the quality and diversity of MagNorth content has been original, considered, sometimes campaigning, and always rigorously researched.
Diverse contributions from leading regional, national and international journalists explored subjects that have included the demystification of the Quran for non-Muslim supermarket shoppers - through to a look at the annual migration of Atlantic Salmon back to the northern rivers of their birth. Colin and the MagNorth team have worked tirelessly to establish a broad and welcoming environment for all of us who understand the importance of people and place.
It's now time for the next chapter: One that sees the founder, editor and journalist (that's all one person btw), step back from the day-to-day management of the magazine - to concentrate on bringing vital northern stories to our readers - together with having more time for his inspiring work elsewhere; not least empowering communities to celebrate their voices and establish their own 'hyperlocal' publications.
While Colin will remain closely involved with everything MagNorth related, the title is about to benefit from joining forces with a number of other like-minded in-print and online regional publications, gaining access to additional resources and collaboration opportunities while continuing to highlight the culture, creativity, and civic life of northern communities.
During his tenure, Colin has helped shape a trusted platform for independent northern voices, championing magazine-style storytelling alongside investigative reporting. Those tenets remain central to MagNorth magazine's day-to-day operations - and its direction of travel at a critical moment for journalism and journalists.
Independent journalism has long been the heartbeat of local democracy - the voice that challenges, celebrates, and connects communities. In the North of England, where identity, creativity, and resilience define so much of public life, regional journalism plays an especially crucial role. Yet, despite continuing demand for trusted, locally rooted reporting, the sector is under unprecedented pressure.
Across the UK, over 320 local newspaper titles have closed since 2009, leaving many communities without a dedicated local voice. In the North, this has been especially visible - with long-standing papers closing or reducing staff, and some towns relying on a single over-stretched reporter.
Despite this, public demand for local information remains high. Ofcom reports that 92% of UK adults access local news or information, with 89% doing so online, and 71% consuming news primarily through digital platforms.
The challenge isn’t that people no longer care - it’s that the infrastructure to deliver news independently and sustainably has been weakened.
Independent regional journalism safeguards democracy and nurtures civic identity. A House of Commons report on local news put it plainly:
“Local journalism is vital to democratic society. Accurate, trustworthy reporting on local councils, courts and other public bodies enables people to hold those in power to account for decisions that affect their everyday lives.”
This is particularly true in the North, where economic and social transformations - from deindustrialisation to devolution - demand consistent, on-the-ground scrutiny that national media rarely provide.
Magazine-style publishing plays an equally vital role. Unlike daily news, magazines offer space: room for narrative, nuance, and celebration of northern identity - from food and culture to innovation and social change.
The Professional Publishers Association (PPA) reports that the UK magazine sector contributes £3.74 billion annually, supporting over 55,000 jobs, and serving audiences that “value trust, creativity and depth in an age of fleeting digital noise.”
Regional magazines build a slower, more reflective relationship with readers - and that trust translates into resilience. PPA CEO Sajeeda Merali is clear:
“Magazine media continues to thrive because audiences trust it. Our sector’s creativity, quality and connection to readers make it an essential part of the UK’s media ecosystem.”
At MagNorth, our mission is to celebrate and sustain independent magazine publishing in the North of England. We aim to:
By connecting journalists, editors, and readers, we hope to build a stronger, more resilient media ecosystem - one that preserves the unique identity, culture, and democratic oversight of the region.
Initiatives like the BBC Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) have helped fill gaps left by shrinking newsrooms. Since 2018, LDRS journalists have produced around half a million public-interest stories, keeping local councils, planning committees, and spending under public scrutiny.
Jason Gibbins, BBC Local News Partnerships editor, says:
“The work of the LDRS is as important today as it was at launch... The scrutiny provided by LDRs not only serves the public interest but has also had a positive impact on the sustainability of the local news sector itself.”
The UK Journalists in the 2020s report, launched regionally earlier this year at the University of Leeds, offers a snapshot of the profession. Key findings relevant to the North include:
As a Leeds panelist noted:
“Local and regional journalists see their role as critical to holding power to account and giving voice to communities often overlooked in national news.”
These findings reinforce the mission of MagNorth and partners - delivering independent, trusted, and engaging journalism for northern audiences.
The North is not short on stories - it’s short on storytellers. From councils making housing and transport decisions to grassroots arts shaping civic identity and building stronger communities, these narratives define our region.
Without independent media - from investigative reporters to cultural magazine publishers - these stories risk being lost. The News Media Association warns:
“The role of trusted sources of news and information will become even more important than it is today. At the core of this is UK local news media - local newspapers and their websites - which serve communities with trusted journalism on an hourly, daily and weekly basis.”
To secure the future of independent journalism in the North, we need to:
Independent journalism in the North is not just about accountability - it’s about identity. Whether through hard-hitting investigations or long-form magazine features, independent northern voices provide authenticity and a deep understanding of place.
At a time when trust in media is fragile, independent journalists, magazine publishers, and platforms like MagNorth are working to rebuild it - one story at a time.
We're looking forward to what's ahead for the North of England - and at MagNorth we remain 100% committed to bringing you the most important, informative, educational, entertaining, and life-affirming content - without pop-ups, intrusive advertising, cookies or data harvesting.
Thank you for being a MagNortherner!
Rosie Alexander
Partner
editorial@mag-north.com
