Website which sparked a revolution in local news marks 10th anniversary
A website which sparked a revolution in local news coverage in the UK celebrated its 10th birthday in style.
BelfastLive, which was the first digital-only local news title to be launched by what is now publisher Reach, held a party attended by over 100 people at the Dark Horse pub in the city centre.
The title is edited by Sheena McStravick, who had been with BelfastLive since day one, having joined as one of two reporters. The other was Sarah Scott, who is now deputy editor.
Sheena said: “Having started as one of two reporters for the launch alongside our brilliant Deputy Editor, Sarah Scott, it really is a full-circle moment for us both, and one we are incredibly proud of.
“10 years is a huge milestone for a website that was a completely unknown entity emerging amidst a very competitive news market in Northern Ireland, dominated by legacy titles.
“But we made our mark and are now proudly the best-read commercial news website in Northern Ireland, and it’s not something we take for granted.
“BelfastLive has always been driven by the incredible people who make up our team — journalists, photographers, editors, commercial and marketing teams and partners, senior managers and those who have poured their hearts into ensuring that Belfast’s stories, in all their richness and diversity, are told and celebrated.”
Despite launching into one of the UK’s most competitive local news markets, homes to three daily newspapers, a richly-resourced local BBC operation and thriving commercial radio sector, BelfastLive went on to become the best-read local news website in Northern Ireland, according to Ipsos Iris.
Its early success prompted Trinity Mirror, now Reach, to launch similar digital titles in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds and London, as well as rebranding many of its existing regional titles to the ‘Live’ stable, such as BirminghamLive and CambridgeshireLive.
Its launch editor, Chris Sherrard, is now the editor of the Irish News, while another former editor, Ryan Smith, is the digital editor at the News. Nathan Hanna, a former deputy editor of the title, is now a presenter on UTV.
To mark the 10th birthday, BelfastLive has embarked on its own advertising campaign, with a series of adverts around the city remembering some of the biggest stories it has covered, ranging from the restoration of power sharing at Stormont to the huge blaze at the city’s Primark store.
