Local media has been under attack. The business model of local papers and radio stations has been squeezed - and cuts and consolidation have bitten hard. Some towns and cities have been left without a meaningful news outlet - leaving voices unheard, stories untold and letting powerful people off the hook.
In 2020, journalist Joshi Herrmann - formerly of the Evening Standard and founding editor of The Tab - launched a new business. Not just a new business - but a new way of doing business. The Mill was born in Manchester - with a subscription model and a small team. It would offer quality local journalism, funded by subscribers. It grew to reach a mailing list of 40,000 people - with off-shoot titles in Liverpool, Sheffield and Birmingham. Today, the news outlet founded from a cafe in Manchester, is backed by former BBC director general Mark Thompson and has been valued at £1.7m.
In this discussion, broadcaster Darryl Morris interviews Joshi Herrmann to tell the story of founding The Mill, the importance of local journalism and taking on a challenge other media companies were leaving behind.
