Two broadsheets turn into one tabloid

Two weekly broadsheets, the Wharfedale and Airedale Observer and the Ilkley Gazette , have been merged to create a single tabloid-sized newspaper. But the new paper, published for the first time last week, has a decidedly broadsheet title: the Ilkley, Wharfedale & Airedale Gazette & Observer . There is also a joint website . The merger was carried out by the publisher, Newsquest / Gannett , in the face of falling sales at both titles. The Gazette sold 4,900 in the six months up to June last year, 10.5% fewer than in the same period the year before, and the Observer was selling under 4,000, a 14% year-on-year fall. Malcolm Hoddy was appointed editor of both papers last month while retaining the editorship of the Keighley News , which sells almost 12,000 a week. In an article introducing the new-look paper to readers , Hoddy asked for readers' comments on the merged title. Thus far, there are no comments on the website. Hat tip: holdthefrontpage