The Daily UK set to launch first franchise in Plymouth

The team behind The Exeter Daily are poised to launch their first franchise. After just five months of trading in Exeter, The Daily UK, is to expand into Plymouth next month. Meanwhile, talks are at an advanced stage in a number of other areas across the UK.

The Daily model was created by Marc Astley, who stood down as editor of the Express & Echo in Exeter shortly after it turned from a daily to weekly. And he said his user-generated model had captured the imaginations of a new generation of news consumer.

Mr Astley added: “Everything we are doing now is six to 12 months ahead of schedule.

“We have already smashed the nine-month target I quoted to my investors both in terms of hits and users.

“Every day seems to bring more good news and further opportunities.”

Since it launched on 8 October last year, The Exeter Daily has attracted almost 42,500 visitors and recorded 200,000 page impressions. However, Mr Astley said the Daily team were not planning to rest on their laurels and had spent the Christmas period revamping the site with a new look which was unveiled today (Monday).

“We’ve spent a lot of time listening to our users and taking on board their views,” he explained.

“The ultimate goal is for a UK-wide network of sites that can work together to deliver a unique news and information service as well as a cost-effective platform for advertisers, both local and national.”

The Plymouth Daily franchise has been bought by one of the most successful businessmen in the South West. Rex Rozario owns Graphic PLC, a company which produces high technology printed circuit boards for, among others, the aerospace industry. Graphic employs 170 people in Crediton, Devon and a further 400 in China where it has a factory.

Mr Rozario said he was immediately won over by the Daily model, which he described as “the future”.

He added: “It’s obvious to me that the migration from print to digital will continue at a rate of knots and what Marc and the team have here is a business that is perfectly positioned to take advantage of this monumental shift.

“I am extremely excited about this project and I’m looking forward to playing my part in helping it grow.”