THE SOUTHWARK NEWS is the only paid for, independent weekly newspaper in London. It is published every Thursday and has an audited circulation of 11,015, with a readership of over 30,000. The paper began life in 1987 as the Bermondsey News, which was run in conjunction with a press agency – South East News. While the press agency was eventually wound up, the Bermondsey News continued, moving from
printed A4 sheets, to magazine format, to tabloid in 1989. At the start of the 1990s it became the Southwark and Bermondsey News before finally becoming the Southwark News. The Southwark News was relaunched in July 2002, as a bigger paper with new sections, better print quality and with full colour throughout, whilst maintaining its strong editorial and community focus. It covers in detail: politics, housing and regeneration issues, crime and policing, education, community events, health issues and transport. In addition, the paper covers three local football teams – Millwall, Fisher Athletic and Dulwich Hamlet. Boxing is another major sport covered by the paper, whilst cricket, martial arts and horse racing are also reported on. The paper also has a vibrant arts and leisure section, covering local film and theatre, galleries, restaurants and bars and the borough's rich history.
