London Lite set to close

The London Lite was today placed under threat of closure.

The free newspaper, which is owned by Associated Newspapers, is set to become the latest victim of the recession, with 36 jobs at risk.

The announcement came just a month after its rival, thelondonpaper, was closed by Rupert Murdoch's News International. The titles had fought a three-year circulation battle, each distributing more than 400,000 copies every weekday.

However, despite the change in newspaper culture they brought, their profitability was placed under strain by the economic downturn.

Associated said consultation with staff would take place before a final decision on closure. The Evening Standard became free two weeks ago, with 600,000 copies distributed each weekday.

Steve Auckland, managing director of Associated Newspapers' free division, said: "The latest development in the London afternoon free newspaper space dictates that we look again at the future of London Lite. Despite reaching a large audience with an excellent editorial format, we are concerned about commercial viability in this highly competitive area".

Media sources said that Lite editor Ted Young and his team had done a "very good job" journalistically, with the Lite especially popular among young Londoners. One source told the Guardian: "There were profitable weeks for the London Lite since the closure of thelondonpaper, but they can't see their way forward to longterm profitability."

The Lite shared a newsroom with the Standard, and its parent company, Daily Mail & General Trust, also owns a 24.9 per cent stake in this newspaper.

The Lite was launched on 25 August 2006, and was the first free evening paper in the capital. Thelondonpaper launched 10 days later.