Cambridge Independent

The Cambridge Independent does what all great local papers do – understanding and serving its community with detailed coverage and a willingness to give underheard voices a platform. What’s most impressive, however, is that it is doing so while growing its audience at an astonishing rate.

Over the last year, the paper has reported the debate over a city-wide congestion charge and provoked community-wide discussion about the benefits of a potential light rail system and a tourist tax in the city. It concluded a successful campaign with Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, supporting it in raising £1m for a surgical robot. And its Shining Stars campaign raised funds and awareness for a children’s bereavement support service.

Judges said the paper remains even-handed in its coverage of major campaigns, where other titles might try to jump on a bandwagon, and highlighted its ‘illuminating’ coverage of science and technology issues, culminating in a highly successful annual awards scheme. Best of all, the Independent has seen impressive increases in circulation, engagement and readership as it recorded a year-on-year print sales increase almost every week in the current financial year.