Maidenhead Advertiser publisher takes over stewardship of Henley Standard

The publisher behind the Maidenhead Advertiser and the Slough & Windsor Express has completed a deal to take over the stewardship of the Henley Standard.

Higgs Group has sold the paper and its associated titles to Baylis Media Ltd, which owns the Advertiser and Express.

The deal has been funded by the Louis Baylis Trust – which has a long history of supporting independent journalism.

The titles will be operated under licence by Baylis Community Media CIC, which also publishes the Advertiser and Express.

Baylis Community Media CEO Jeremy Spooner said the consolidation of the titles under the company’s operational control will ‘enhance the ability for each title to serve its communities with trusted local news and information in print and online’.

The Henley Standard, which has served the town and its environs since 1892, will continue to be based at Caxton House in the town with Phil Simms as editor.

The Advertiser and Express will continue to be edited by James Preston and put together by the same team.

Readers, advertisers and the community for all titles can expect their close and friendly relationship to continue with no changes to the papers’ services.

Peter Sands, chair of trustees for the Louis Baylis Charitable Trust, said: “We, as a trust, are very focused on independent local journalism, and its function within the communities they serve, to inform, support, and where necessary question and investigate on behalf of the people.

“It is our belief that the high standard of journalistic endeavour required to fulfil these objectives are best served by local media companies such as Baylis Community Media CIC.

“We have a long tradition of serving the local areas in East Berkshire and we are now very pleased to extend that service to South Oxfordshire.”

Mr Sands thanked the Luker family (from Higgs Group) ‘for their considerable efforts running the paper for so many years and for having the excellent foresight to hand over the stewardship of this important asset’.

Steve Luker, Higgs Group joint chairman, said: “We have come to understand Baylis Media’s commitment to publishing quality local news is a very close fit to ours. Like us, it values its staff, its local community and its customers.

“We are happy to have reached this agreement that we believe will give our publications the best chance to develop and prosper for many years to come.”

Mr Spooner added: “We are delighted that we now publish the Henley Standard alongside the Maidenhead Advertiser and the Slough and Windsor Express.

“We are aware of the unique position that the Henley Standard holds within the town and are proud to be the custodians of this wonderful newspaper.”