Romford Recorder

Last updated

Romford Recorder
Type Weekly newspaper
Format Tabloid
Owner USA Today Co.
Publisher Newsquest
EditorSimon Murfitt
Founded1899 (1899)
Language English
HeadquartersQueens House, 55/56 Lincolns Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LJ
CountryUnited Kingdom
Circulation 8,852(as of 2024) [1]
ISSN 0961-3382
Website www.romfordrecorder.co.uk OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

The Romford Recorder is a local newspaper for the town of Romford and the wider London Borough of Havering.

Contents

History

The newspaper was established in 1899. [2]

In 1934, the paper successfully defended itself against an accusation of libel by Frederick Standen, a member of Hornchurch Urban District Council, who claimed a letter published had incorrectly linked private interest in the development of a housing estate to his elected office. [3] [4]

In 1957, during petrol rationing caused by the Suez Crisis, the paper was found to be in contempt of the House of Commons for printing the headline "MPs too kind to themselves" for a story about parliamentarian petrol allowances. [5]

Following the departure of Mark Sweetingham in 2013, there ceased to be a single editor for the publication and responsibility was shared with other publications. [6]

Archant, including the Romford Recorder, was purchased by Newsquest in 2022. [7]

In 2024, the publication won a three year legal battle with Havering London Borough Council over the publication of an internal investigation into racism that found discrimination had been "normalised" at the authority. [8]

Circulation

During 2024, the publication had an average circulation of 8,852 from paid and free copies. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Romford Recorder: January to December 2024" (PDF). Audit Bureau of Circulations. 13 February 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 January 2026. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  2. Willing's Press Guide (58 ed.). London: Willing. 1931. p. 183.
  3. "Councillor and Newspaper". The Newsman. 28 April 1934. p. 3.
  4. World's Press News and Advertisers' Review (11 ed.). 1934. p. 5.
  5. "Editor 'Not Unfairly Treated' by Priviledges Committee: Press Council's opinion". The Guardian. 1 May 1957. p. 4.
  6. Hollander, Gavriel (5 June 2013). "Romford Recorder editor to leave after eight years as part of Archant's London shake-up". Press Gazette. Archived from the original on 1 January 2026. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  7. Linford, Paul. "Regional press group Archant sold to Newsquest - Journalism News from HoldtheFrontPage". HoldtheFrontPage. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  8. Stewart, Rob (23 August 2024). "Investigative reporter celebrates legal battle victory". HoldtheFrontPage. Archived from the original on 25 December 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2026.