Entrepreneur vows to expand after regional press return

Report by David Sharman for HoldtheFrontPage.co.uk

An entrepreneur declared bankrupt after buying a group of defunct local newspapers has revealed his ambition to re-enter to the regional press industry.

Duncan Williams has returned to publishing using the name of historic South-East Devon title Pulman’s Weekly News, which he is currently running as an online news aggregation service.

He has recently taken on freelance journalist Nikki Latham and photographer Neil Dobson to aid the project, with the hope of increasing the size of the Pulman’s team and expanding its coverage again in future.

Mr Williams, pictured, previously worked in publishing for titles including Sorted magazine and bought the View From series of newspapers in 2018 for £1 after they ceased publication.

However, the purchase sparked a long-running legal battle in which he was found to be liable for money owed to more than 20 View From staff who had been made redundant prior to the deal being agreed – rather than the papers’ previous owner Peter Masters.

The affected staff were awarded notice pay settlements and additional payments by an employment tribunal after Mr Williams was declared bankrupt in 2020.

Pulman’s recently won a Corporate Livewire Prestige Award, which recognises the work of small and medium-sized businesses.

Speaking to HTFP about his new venture, Mr Williams said: “Independent news has a vital role to play in maintaining the views and democracy of our regional towns and communities.

“I believe historic media brands such as Pulman’s can actively grow with the digital age to offer increased communication reach and utilise the popularity of social media trends to rebuild a healthy culture of engagement with regional news.

“Pulman’s Weekly News Group Ltd has been fortunate enough to employ a freelance journalist and photographer whose skills have contributed towards this award.

“As we move forward with increased marketing revenues, Pulman’s aim to gradually increase the team and continue to expand our local coverage.”

Pulman’s was founded in 1857 to cover the towns of Axminster and Seaton in East Devon, Lyme Regis in Dorset, and other villages in East Devon, West Dorset and South Somerset.

It was assimilated into the View From Axminster free title in 2012 by then-owner Tindle Newspapers.

Prestige Award for Digital Marketing Company

A FAMILY owned digital media company based out of Market Street in Launceston, has been presented with a Prestige Award.

The South West England Prestige Award highlights work undertaken by Pulman’s Digital Media throughout 2020/21.

The award, which was collected by local IT employee Duncan Williams, acknowledges Pulman’s ongoing digital development and commitment to offering increased value to local South West businesses by using social media and mobile applications to assist marketing.

Duncan, who is a former pupil of Launceston College, said: “During the recent lockdowns, Pulman’s has been able to focus on winning some high profile clients who have requested digital solutions that have gone on to help fund regional South West social media services at a reduced rate. This is good news when so many local businesses are struggling to get back on their feet after a difficult 16 months of trading restrictions.

“Back in the day, Launceston College pioneered early CSE Computer Studies courses which I remember attending, even though the computer systems were very basic. Little did our generation know at the time how important computers and digital technology would become.”

The impressive list of clients who have now been provided with digital marketing services out of Launceston includes the English cricket team, the ‘The Barmy Army’ (the English cricket fans), West Ham United, and Hayle-based PPE supplier Exhibit One Clothing.

Duncan added: “We have even installed not-for-profit online platforms for church services who were keen to continue reaching congregations during a period of time where churches were forced to close and delivery of their printed materials had ceased. Digital technology can actually be a force for good when people feel isolated. Zoom has become a communication phenomenon.”

Duncan Williams collected the award on behalf of Pulman’s Digital Media, a family owned digital media company based out of Market Street in Launceston