Four Bedford businesses and organisations have become Bedford Independent patrons, a new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project that aims to support Bedford Borough’s community eco-system.
As Patrons to Bedford Borough’s most-read publication, YouCanBookMe, Bedford Heights, Bedford School and SDG are supporting independent local news coverage which is vital to making sure accurate and trusted information is available to local people.
This, in turn, helps to encourage debate into what matters to local people, more interest in local democracy and more awareness of things happening in our Borough, so they can be championed or improved where necessary.
Local news also builds a feeling of pride in our community, highlighting the events, people and places that make our town unique.
Speaking about becoming a patron, Bridget Harris from YouCanBookMe, the first to sign up, said: “Being a Patron of the Bedford Independent is important to us because we want to be part of our community and stay in touch with Bedford’s champions.”
Meanwhile, Tim Pain at Bedford Heights said, “Bedford Heights has supported the Bedford Independent since the news organisation’s inception and we are pleased to be extending our support as one of the first Patrons.”
Erica Roffe, co-founder of the Bedford Independent says the Patrons’ project is not only “blazing a trail” for making sure local news is funded in all communities, but it’s also making sure what is vital to communities across Bedford Borough is preserved.
“Quality news is an essential part of the Bedford Borough’s community eco-system. It Is essential to build communities, increase pride in a town, share information and hold those in power to account,” says Erica.
“In one place, it not only informs and entertains but also helps promote local businesses to increase trade and employment and informs people about local art and culture, showcases properties, shares sporting successes and brings a local angle to national news.
“Patron partners will help secure quality, fact-checked and impartial local news that Bedford Borough can be proud of.”
The Bedford Independent team are now looking to connect with more Patrons, particularly locally-based businesses with a national or international reach.
“While your business might trade further afield, we know that locally-based companies benefit when Bedford thrives, helping them recruit good quality, local people, attracting investment and making sure Bedford is a great place to work, live and play,” said Erica.
“By supporting the Bedford Independent, your business will be helping to raise the profile of the town and build more connected communities.”
End the ‘news desert’
The Bedford Independent was created to not only disrupt how local news is told but also to make sure Bedford Borough does not become a news ‘desert’, completely lacking in local news provision.
Sadly, the number of news deserts is increasing thanks to the inability of traditional local newspapers to adapt to the 21st century.
Thanks, in part to social media, local news can no longer rely on the traditional pillars of revenue: the dozens of pages of property, car sales and classified ads.
Unfortunately, 88% of local newspapers are owned by just four publishers whose websites rely on pop-up adverts, celebrity news and clickbait to attract readers.
Their reporters don’t live in their patch; their editors are often based in entirely different counties, meaning that truly independently published local news is more important than ever.
Despite years of discussion and the findings of the Cairncross Review, it seems unlikely that the current government will step in to provide meaningful support for local independent media after their response to the recent investigation into the sustainability of local journalism by the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sports (DCMS).
In 2022, the Bedford Independent gave evidence to the DCMS select committee of how we are working to support local news in our area.
Co-founder Paul Hutchinson spoke of the Bedford Independent‘s challenges with funding and how despite its strong readership, Bedford Borough’s most popular news publication needs to look at creative ways to secure funding.
Read: It’s official: Bedford Independent most-read news source in Bedford Borough
“Recent reports from Ipsos have shown that the Bedford Independent is the most popular news publication in Bedford Borough. We have worked hard to achieve this by providing high-quality, balanced and trusted news without sensationalism.
“In the absence of any real Government support for local news of all kinds and at all levels, in particular trusted, independent titles such as ourselves, we are grateful that these four businesses have stepped up to protect Bedford’s community eco-system.
“They are at the forefront of recognising how important local news is to Bedford Borough and clearly care about the community in which they are based, we hope many more will join them.”
Read: DCMS Committee warns Government must act to halt decline of local journalism
Corporate Social Responsibility
These sentiments are echoed by James Hodgson, Head Master at Bedford School, “We share the same values of integrity and responsibility and recognise the valuable service they provide to the community where we all live and work.”
Gavin Spendlove, Managing Director at SDG agrees, “We are proud to become Patrons of the Bedford Independent as we feel that access to quality local news is an imperative aspect of maintaining and promoting a thriving local community.”
Becoming a Bedford Independent Patron is open to any local business looking to support local news as part of their own Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme or alongside any other business priority they feel it would connect with.
In return, those businesses will enjoy Patrons’ benefits including business profiles, a reduced rate for recruitment advertising, networking opportunities, and evidence that they are helping to support the community in which they operate for the benefit of their customers and employees.
To find out more about becoming a Bedford Independent Patron, and to read about those who have already signed up, head to our Patrons page or email Julia for an initial conversation.
