According to the ‘experts’ it was destined to fail – but Laura and Courtenay Hitchcock say they’ve proved the doubters wrong.

The husband and wife team are marking the first birthday of their free digital publication, The Blackmore Vale.

Twelve months after launching their venture the couple report the online magazine has 10,000 direct monthly subscribers while the website has received 35,000 unique visitors since launch.

Meanwhile The Blackmore Vale’s Facebook page reached 145,000 people in the last month.

Both Laura, 47, and Courtenay, 55, had no previous magazine publishing background – or even a budget – when they started.

But they went ahead anyway.

Laura said: “Everyone told us that a purely digital magazine in an aging rural area would not work.

“Digital publishing is no longer the future – it’s already here, we’re doing it.

“It is economic and green; no paper, print or physical distribution means minimal carbon footprint.

“It is also instantly accessible, versatile and allows high production values.

“The stats prove our high levels of reader interest – it’s all transparent.

“The Press Gazette reported that even pre-pandemic digital growth was outpacing print decline.”

Laura, who is Editor of The Blackmore Vale, said the publication had demonstrated a huge demand for a purely digital magazine.

Statistics showed The Blackmore Vale enjoyed a 680 per cent higher click through rate (CTR) than average.

And while the UK average page conversion rate is 2.35 per cent, The Blackmore Vale is 5.3 per cent.

Laura said: “I strongly believe that it’s our hybrid model of solid digital skills backed up by the traditional publishing skills we have recruited that has proved so successful.

“We know the digital world – and we were approached by a number of highly experienced editors and journalists who have quickly become much-loved columnists and a part of the team.”

For the last 20 years Laura has been an award-winning blogger and freelancer and was an early adopter of online media.

Courtenay worked in Lloyds of London before becoming a professional photographer.

The couple have four children and live in Sturminster Newton.

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