Independent Observer Series
The Independent Observer Series was founded in December 2000 with the idea of returning an independent newspaper to the people of Winchester.
The two founders of the company, Jez Walder and Mark O'Connor, had 30 years of combined newspaper experience with the newspapers in the area, but soon realised the need for an independent title. Once they spotted this niche in the market they were determined to fill it.
Fortunately, Jez and Mark had no trouble finding a quality workforce who shared the same goals, and in January 2001, the first edition of the Winchester Observer hit the streets. Expansion was quick, and in June 2001 the Winchester Observer became the Winchester & Bishop's Waltham Observer, and by May 2002, coverage was so wide that the paper now became The Mid Hampshire Observer, covering Winchester, Romsey, Bishop's Waltham and Stockbridge.
The paper now reaches 14,000 homes weekly with further copies made available to be picked up in large supermarkets along with smaller independent newsagents and Post Offices in the area.
They are proud to boast the HIGHEST READERSHIP in their distribution area.
In September 2003, Andover was first treated to the delights of the Mid Hampshire's sister publication, The West Hampshire Observer, offering readers in the Test Valley a new mix of news, sport, humour and interest.
2012 saw the launch of The Hampshire Independent – the first independently-owned pick-up free publication in the country to cover a whole county! In 2017, the West edition was incorporated into the Hampshire Independent, which increased its coverage to over 240 outlets countywide.
Several Observer articles have been featured on a national stage, from Radio 4 to the Daily Telegraph. Its unique take on local, national and international news have set it apart from other regional titles. No other paper is like The Observer, at least none we've heard of!
The company continues to grow and now boasts a smart phone ap, emailable editions of all the papers they publish (which are also available online) and a healthy subscriptions database - both posted and emailed!