Big Issue consolidates regional editions into new UK-wide magazine
New UK edition will be run from Glasgow and edited by current Scotland and Wales editor Paul McNamee
– 2 min read
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The Big Issue is to consolidate its individual regional editions into a UK-wide edition run from Glasgow.
The new UK magazine will replace the current individually-produced editions serving London, Scotland, Wales, south-west England and the rest of England.
The magazine will retain an editorial presence in London and Cardiff as well as Glasgow however, and there will still be some different regional content.
Current Scotland and Wales editor Paul McNamee will edit the new magazine, with the first edition due to go on sale next month.
The changes put three editorial jobs at risk in London, but a spokesperson for the magazine said that it was working to ensure that the staff in question would be able to stay with the magazine.
The three members of staff facing possible redundancy may be able to reapply for new jobs created at the London office, which will not be externally advertised.
According to the magazine's spokesperson, the changes will "enable greater efficiency" and "streamline the production process, freeing up resources to develop our digital offering".
Under the restructure, design and publishing operations are being outsourced to Dennis Publishing, who will decide how many of the magazine's staff in those departments will be kept on.
McNamee was appointed Scotland editor four years ago and took on the Wales editorship as well a year after that. He was made Scotland editor after a year-long stint as deputy editor. Before joining the Big Issue he was editor of Irish teen mag Brat, and before that worked for the NME. He has also freelanced for the Irish Times, the Guardian and the Belfast Telegraph.
In a statement from the magazine, founder and editor-in-chief, John Bird, said: "The decision to amalgamate the regional editions of the magazine and to create one unified UK edition was taken to enable greater efficiency and the best use of our skill set.
"The move will also free up resources, allowing us to focus of new ventures, including development of a digital platform."
