Western Morning News: A History of Devon's Leading Newspaper
The Western Morning News stands as a cornerstone of regional journalism in South West England. Established in the mid-19th century, the publication has navigated over 160 years of social upheaval, economic shifts, and technological transitions to remain a primary source of information for the people of Devon.
Founding and Early Growth
The newspaper was founded on January 3, 1860, by William Saunders and Edward Spender, the father of Sir Wilfrid Spender. From its inception, the publication demonstrated remarkable resilience, maintaining continuous publication through some of the most challenging periods in British history, including the 1926 General Strike and the devastating Plymouth Blitz during World War II.
Consolidation and Corporate Evolution
By 1920, the newspaper market in Devon had become increasingly saturated, leading to financial instability for many local titles. This period of volatility led to a series of acquisitions. In 1920, Sir Leicester Harmsworth acquired the Western Morning News. This was followed on February 1, 1921, by the takeover of the Western Daily Mercury and the Western Evening Herald.
Following these acquisitions, the papers continued to operate from the established Mercury offices located on Frankfort Street in Plymouth.
Infrastructure and Relocations
Just before the outbreak of World War II, the publication invested in new offices on the Frankfort Street site. This modern construction proved vital, as it allowed the facility to survive the Blitz, ensuring that the community continued to receive news during the conflict.
The paper remained at this location until 1993, when it moved to a purpose-built facility in Derriford, Plymouth, designed by the renowned architect Nicholas Grimshaw. More recently, in 2013, the Western Morning News and its sister publication, The Herald (Plymouth), relocated to offices on Millbay Road in the city center.
Modern Transitions and Ownership
To adapt to changing reader preferences, the Western Morning News transitioned from a broadsheet (a large-format newspaper) to a compact (tabloid) format on February 8, 1997. The publication also experimented with a Sunday edition, which ran from June 2014 until January 2016.
The ownership of the paper has shifted through several major media conglomerates. In 2012, Local World acquired Northcliffe Media from the Daily Mail and General Trust. By November 2015, Trinity Mirror purchased Local World. In 2018, Trinity Mirror rebranded as Reach Plc, which currently stands as one of the largest newspaper groups in Britain.
Key Facts
- Founded: January 3, 1860, by William Saunders and Edward Spender.
- Resilience: Published continuously through the 1926 General Strike and the Plymouth Blitz.
- Format Change: Switched from broadsheet to compact on February 8, 1997.
- Current Owner: Reach Plc (formerly Trinity Mirror).
- Notable Architects: Nicholas Grimshaw designed the 1993 Derriford building.
| Year/Period | Event/Owner |
|---|---|
| 1860 | Founded by William Saunders and Edward Spender |
| 1920-1921 | Acquired by Sir Leicester Harmsworth |
| 1993 | Move to Derriford building (Nicholas Grimshaw) |
| 1997 | Transition to compact format |
| 2012 | Acquired by Local World via Northcliffe Media |
| 2015 | Acquired by Trinity Mirror |
| 2018 | Trinity Mirror rebrands as Reach Plc |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Western Morning News?
The newspaper was founded on January 3, 1860, by William Saunders and Edward Spender.
How did the paper survive the Plymouth Blitz?
The paper survived because new, modern offices had been constructed on Frankfort Street shortly before World War II, which allowed publishing to continue despite the bombings.
When did the newspaper change its physical size?
The Western Morning News changed from a broadsheet to a compact (tabloid) format on February 8, 1997.
Who currently owns the Western Morning News?
The paper is owned by Reach Plc, one of the largest newspaper groups in the UK, which rebranded from Trinity Mirror in 2018.
Who are some of the previous editors of the publication?
Past editors include Philip Bowern, Bill Martin, Alan Qualtrough, Barrie Williams, and Colin Davidson.