Newspaper publisher extends its reach to another city

Asian Standard newspaper has launched a new edition to cover the Leeds area.

The free weekly print title carries news and features targeted mainly at a local South Asian readership and the Leeds edition has been added in response to popular demand.

Published by RF Publishing Ltd, it is the paper’s fourth regional edition, along with Bradford where the company was first established, and more recent additions in Kirklees and the North East.

It will be available every Monday from major supermarkets as well as from Asian stores and Leeds businesses and can also be delivered on subscription to readers’ homes.

The growth has created two new jobs, for an additional reporter and delivery driver.

Managing editor Fatima Patel said: “We’ve held back for a while from going into Leeds, because, as a large regional hub, it’s very well served by media outlets, including some long-established major titles.

“But fans of our newspapers have been persistently pressing us for a Leeds edition, saying that what they want is the sense of belonging that’s generated by our family of publications.

“Now we’ve responded to the demand and brought out the new edition, we’re delighted with the results.

“There are 32 pages of news, information and features about the local Leeds community and we’ve got some very exciting stories planned.”

The newspaper group was born in Bradford in 2011 with the launch of Asian Sunday, the UK’s first free Sunday newspaper, which has now become a fully digital platform.

Following on from the Kirkees, North East, and now Leeds, launches, there are plans to expand into a further six cities by 2025.

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