A newspaper that has been a part of a community since 1881 has been saved from closure by the team behind the Frome Times.
The 143-year-old Warminster Journal was facing closure after its previous owners ceased publication in December 2024. The newspaper has now been saved after it was taken over by Wiltshire Publications, the independent newspaper group that produces the Frome Times, the White Horse News and the Melksham News.
The company’s operations manager Joe McCann said, “We’re really proud to be expanding and bringing the Warminster Journal back to serve its community. Local news is essential for towns as it keeps residents informed, supports local businesses and ensures transparency in local governance. We’ve seen great support from our readers in Frome, and we’re excited to bring the same free, accessible news to Warminster, helping to strengthen community connections and amplify local voices there.
“It would have been a shame to lose a newspaper with such a long and proud history. In an era when local newspapers are in decline, especially independent ones, it’s something to be celebrated that we are bucking the trend.
“Rest assured, the acquisition will have no impact on the continued publication of the Frome Times, which will remain solely dedicated to serving Frome with the local news our readers rely on.”
The company is hoping to resume publishing the Warminster Journal in March, following the same format as the company’s other papers – delivered free door-to-door with a free online digital edition. It will also be accompanied by a dedicated news website, ensuring that residents can access timely, relevant information both in print and online.
Wiltshire Publications is a family-owned business that has over 40 years’ experience in bringing local news to communities and has built a strong reputation for independent journalism. Melksham News was established in 1981, and the company took over the White Horse News in 1992 and the Frome Times in 1999.
Pictured: operations manager Joe McCann, Frome Times editor Ian Drew and deputy editor Kate Drew.
