Southport Visiter titles continue printing during Coronavirus crisis

The Southport Visiter and Midweek Visiter will continue to be published during the Coronavirus crisis.

Reach plc, which publishes the Visiter alongside titles including the Liverpool Echo, Daily Mirror and Daily Express, released a statement yesterday to clarify its position.

It followed Tuesday’s announcement by Champion Newspapers, which publishes the Southport Champion, that it would cease publication of its newspaper titles during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Tough times lie ahead as the Covid-19 crisis gathers pace but Reach plc, which publishes the Visiter alongside titles including the Liverpool Echo, Daily Mirror and Daily Express, said for them “It’s business as usual.’’

Editor Adrian Short said: ‘Let me assure you of our determination to battle on through this period of uncertainty and continue to serve our readers.

‘We plan to keep publishing the Southport Visiter and the Midweek Visiter at a time when the community needs us more than ever.

‘I promise you that my journalists and I will continue to report in a balanced and accurate way and rely only on the soundest government sources for Coronavirus information.

‘And I promise too, that our pages in print and online will be open so that those who need help, can ask for it, and those who can provide help, can offer it.

‘Our world is changing and the Southport Visiter has to change with it.

‘The cancellation of sporting fixtures, the sad loss of the arts and entertainment scene, the decision to close courts – they all affect our usual mixture of news, views and information.

‘However, we are working harder than ever. And we are convinced we can bring you a terrific Visiter and Advertiser every week.’