Dale Vince proposes London-wide expansion of local newspaper group
Green energy entrepreneur Dale Vince says he plans to invest in the publisher of the Camden New Journal, Islington Tribune and Westminster Extra and explore a London-wide edition. The proposal is not yet formally finalised and is intended to strengthen local journalism rather than deliver a business return, he told the Guardian.
Green energy entrepreneur and Labour donor Dale Vince is planning a London-wide news operation as part of a proposed rescue of the group behind the Camden New Journal, Islington Tribune and Westminster Extra. Vince told the Guardian he would invest “whatever it takes” to support the loss-making newspaper group. He said he was considering expanding the Westminster edition to cover issues across the capital and taking the Camden New Journal properly digital.
The proposal has not been formally finalised. Vince suggested the expanded publication could use editions covering north, south, east and Westminster, reflecting an intended audience larger than the existing local titles. He said the plan was motivated by the importance of local journalism and his opposition to what he sees as rightwing bias in the UK media, rather than by business considerations.
Vince has already launched an online publication, Babelfish, and said he would remain a hands-off investor. The proposed investment comes as London has lost or reduced several major news operations. The Evening Standard ended its daily newspaper in 2024 and was replaced by a weekly London Standard focused more heavily on arts and culture.
Earlier free-sheet ventures, including the London Paper and London Lite, also closed. Subscription-based outlets have provided some growth in London-focused reporting. Jim Waterson, founder of the London Centric news site, said the Camden group had resisted the pursuit of clicks at the expense of quality.
He also said funding remained a challenge for outlets trying to expand without becoming financially unsustainable. The Camden New Journal group employs 18 people, according to recent financial records, and used part of its cash reserves during the last year. Vince said he might write opinion pieces for the titles but would not make that a condition of his investment.
The proposed expansion would add to several efforts to rebuild local journalism in a city of about 9 million people where larger newsrooms have contracted.
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