A change for the Courier

FOR years, the Dumfries Courier has been part of everyday life in the town. From sport and council decisions to the stories that matter most to you and your neighbours, we’ve always believed in the power of truly local journalism. We know that for many of you, picking up the Courier each week is a habit, a connection, and a trusted source of information. We are incredibly proud of that—and grateful for your continued support. This newspaper exists because of you—and for you. However, like many businesses across the UK, we are facing a period of significant economic challenge. The cost of printing, paper, distribution, and production has risen sharply over recent months. These are pressures that affect the entire newspaper industry, and unfortunately, are not something we can avoid. We have worked hard to absorb these increases for as long as possible, while continuing to deliver the quality and coverage you expect. However, to ensure the long-term future of the paper, we now need to make an important change. So, from next week, April 30, we will move from being a free publication to a paid-for newspaper - at £1 an issue. This has not been an easy decision. But it is a necessary one to protect our journalism, local reporting, and community coverage. We have worked hard to keep the price as low as possible, ensuring it remains accessible while helping us meet the rising costs of producing a quality local newspaper. By choosing to buy the Courier, you are doing more than purchasing a paper—you are directly supporting local journalism in your community and helping us:

• Continue covering local news and events
• Support grassroots sport
• Give a voice to local people and issues
• Keep an independent newspaper alive in Dumfries and beyond

We truly believe the Dumfries Courier is worth it — and we hope you do too. Thank you for your loyalty, your readership, and your support.