Stroud Times


Stroud Times is a hyperlocal independent news publication serving the town of Stroud and the surrounding district in Gloucestershire, England. Launched in March 2021 as a digital-only outlet, it later expanded into print. The publication covers community news, local politics, sport, and the arts, operating with a business model that explicitly rejects "clickbait" tactics.

History

Foundation and launch

Stroud Times was established in 2021 by journalists Ash Loveridge, Matt Bigwood, and photographer Carl Hewlett. All three founders had extensive prior experience in the Gloucestershire media landscape.Ash Loveridge served as the sports editor for the Stroud News and Journal for 18 years before launching the new title.Matt Bigwood began his career in 1986 with the Bailey Newspaper Group. He later worked as a staff photographer for the Stroud News and Journal before becoming a freelance photographer and videographer in 2002. Prior to Stroud Times, Bigwood co-founded the Wotton Times, a paid-for hyperlocal newspaper serving Wotton-under-Edge, in 2018.Carl Hewlett started his career as a staff photographer at the Stroud News and Journal in 2010 after graduating from the University of Westminster. He later worked for a national photographic agency covering Premiership Rugby and Royal visits before establishing his own commercial photography business, Stand Out Studio, in 2017. Hewlett designed and built the Stroud Times website during the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020.
The publication launched to fill a perceived gap in the market for independent, multimedia-led journalism in the Stroud district. The founders pledged to avoid "clickbait" headlines, intrusive pop-up advertising, and stories "harvested from social media," distinguishing their business model from traditional legacy media.

Growth and expansion

By March 2022, one year after its launch, the Stroud Times reported reaching a "six-figure readership milestone," surpassing 100,000 monthly page views. Editor Ash Loveridge attributed this growth to a public appetite for "proper journalism" and face-to-face engagement with the community.
In June 2022, the publication expanded beyond its digital-only roots to launch a free print newspaper. Produced in partnership with the Cheltenham Post, the print edition launched with a run of 10,000 copies distributed door-to-door and via pickup points in Stroud, Nailsworth, and Stonehouse. The inaugural front page featured best-selling author Jilly Cooper, who publicly endorsed the title.

Staffing

In February 2024, the publication announced the hiring of former BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenter Faye Hatcher. Hatcher joined the team to focus on building advertising partnerships following cutbacks at the BBC that affected local radio roles.

Content and editorial stance

The publication covers a wide range of topics relevant to the Stroud District, including local government, community events, and the arts.

Sport

The outlet provides extensive coverage of Forest Green Rovers F.C., owing to Stroud's proximity to the club's home in Nailsworth. The site has featured exclusive interviews with club owner Dale Vince and manager Robbie Savage.

Industry advocacy

The Stroud Times has taken an active role in campaigning for changes to UK media laws regarding public notices. In August 2024, editor Ash Loveridge argued that the legal requirement for councils to publish notices solely in print newspapers was "outdated" and unfair to digital-first independent publishers. Loveridge lobbied the government on this issue, stating that the current system subsidizes large corporate publishers like Reach plc and Newsquest while costing digital independents significant revenue.

Business model

Stroud Times operates as a free-to-access publication funded primarily through local advertising and sponsorship partnerships rather than a paywall. It positions itself as a "community partner," working with local charities such as Meningitis Now.