The distinctive clock tower at Dorchester Corn Exchange, known as 'Galpins Folly', with St Peter's Church in the foreground. Picture: Joe Logan/Shutterstock.com
Published: January 7, 2021 | Updated: 8th January 2021
Nub News has come to Dorchester.
The fast-growing hyperlocal news network has chosen the county town for its second location in Dorset – and its 58th in the UK.
Dorchester Nub News – dorchester.nub.news – went live yesterday, just three months after its now sister operation in Bridport.
Nub News says it is targeting communities which have been neglected by existing news providers.
Staffed by journalists, the online newspapers only contain news from the town served.
Apart from local and community news, they also include what’s on, local business listings, classifieds, jobs, property and obituaries.
Lottie Welch, Regional Editor, pictured left, is heading up the Dorchester news operation.
She successfully launched Bridport Nub News which is now reaching more than 11,000 unique users despite only launching in October.
Lottie, 27, said: “We’ve had great feedback and I’m looking forward to doing it all over again in Dorchester.
“There’s lots going on and, of course, it’s the county town.
“People say that it’s so refreshing to read things online with no annoying pop-ups and other distractions.
“It’s hard work but I really love what I do.
“If you want to get in touch, then please email [email protected].”
Nub News was co-founded by Karl and Dean Waghorn, Chief Technology Officer, in 2018.
The first of its hyperlocal online newspapers was launched in January 2019.
Karl, pictured right, spent 26 years in the City of London and is a former MD of Schroders/Citigroup and Goldman Sachs.
Latterly he was Director and Head of Sales UK for Berenberg, the German-based bank.
Nub News has secured major funding from City investors.
It went from 29 towns to 57 in 2020 and hopes to hit 100 this year.
The company has recruited 36 journalists to date and is keen to hear from any, particularly in Dorset, who are interested in joining the expanding operation.
Other Dorset towns on its target list include Blandford, Gillingham, Swanage, Wareham and Wimborne.
Karl said: “We are excited to be launching in Dorchester.
“Like Bridport launched in October, it’s a newsy town that deserves its own dedicated local news service.
“It’s our second Dorset town and where better to be than in the county town.”
Karl said he was happy to launch Dorchester Nub News for another reason.
“On a personal note, my wife, Jill, is ecstatic given that Thomas Hardy is her favourite author and The Mayor of Casterbridge is her favourite book.
“She’s been begging me to take her to the newly refurbished King’s Arms Hotel which is mentioned in the book.”