Start an online local news site and newsletter
Run a local news website and email newsletter funded by adverts, sponsors and reader memberships.
- £200-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Online
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
899 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 58130 “Publishing of newspapers”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A digital-only local paper: a simple website and weekly email covering council decisions, local events, schools and community stories, with no printing or delivery costs.
Your first three steps
- Set up a simple website and free newsletter tool, then publish a few weeks of stories to build an audience
- Join local groups and build contacts at the council, schools, clubs and police liaison teams
- Offer two or three local businesses a founding sponsor slot with a clear price and audience description
Who pays
Local businesses pay for adverts and newsletter sponsorship. Loyal readers may pay a small monthly membership to support the news.
How it makes money
Newsletter and website advertising, sponsored content, classified listings and optional reader memberships or donations.
Skills that help
- Writing quickly and accurately
- Finding local stories and contacts
- Basic website and email tools
- Selling sponsorship to local businesses
Watch out for
- Defamation and contempt of court risks, so consider a short media law course
- Data protection and email marketing rules (UK GDPR and PECR), including whether you need to pay the ICO data protection fee
- Copyright for images and quotes from other sources
- Check whether public liability or media liability insurance suits you
- Building an audience can take months before advertisers pay
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: online local news site and newsletter
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a local news website?
Startup costs are typically around £200 to £1,500, depending on your website, email tools and any training you choose. These are estimates. Building an audience can take months before advertisers pay, so plan for a slow start.
How much can a local news site earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £200 to £2,500, depending on your audience size, advertisers, newsletter sponsors and memberships. Building an audience can take months before advertisers pay, so early months may bring in less.
What rules should I check before launching a local news site?
Check defamation and contempt of court risks, and consider a short media law course. Also check UK GDPR and PECR email rules, whether you need to pay the ICO data protection fee, copyright for images and quotes, and insurance.
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