The Final Edition A Changing Chapter for the Rutland Times

The Final Edition A Changing Chapter for the Rutland Times

After nearly five decades as a staple of local life, the Rutland Times will roll off the printing presses for the last time on Thursday, March 19. The announcement marks the end of an era for the physical newspaper, which first began its journey in 1977 as a community free sheet. The title is not disappearing entirely; instead, it is transitioning into a new, consolidated future.

The decision to cease printing follows a trend seen across the regional press, with owners Iliffe Media citing a "double whammy" of shifting reader habits and economic pressure. As more residents move toward consuming news via digital platforms, the rising costs of physical production and distribution have made maintaining two separate local titles unsustainable. In response, a new weekly publication, the Rutland and Stamford Mercury, will launch every Friday. This new title represents a merger of the Rutland Mercury and the Stamford Mercury, promised to carry the "best of" the Rutland Times within its pages.

Reflecting on the paper’s heritage, the Rutland Times was born out of a desire for hyper-local representation. Following its successful launch in the late seventies, it was eventually acquired by Johnson Press, who maintained it as a distinct voice for the county for several years before it passed to Iliffe Media. However, recent years have seen some local pushback, critics noted the paper had become noticeably thinner and often felt dominated by Lincolnshire-based content, mirroring a website that increasingly linked to broader regional articles rather than purely local stories.

Iliffe Media acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the transition but remained optimistic about the path forward. "Very sadly, that will be the last print edition of the Rutland Times," they stated, noting that the move is the "next natural step" in the brand's story. They emphasised that while the delivery method is changing, the journalistic mission is not. Residents can still expect to see reporters and photographers at local events, ensuring that the stories of England’s smallest county continue to be told, even if they now share a masthead with their neighbors in Stamford.

By moving the bulk of its presence online by the end of the month and consolidating its print reach, Iliffe Media hopes to secure the long-term viability of local reporting. As the community prepares to pick up the final copy next Thursday, it marks a moment of reflection on forty-nine years of local history and a look toward a more integrated, digital future for Rutland’s news.