Now we need your support more than ever
We have never needed the support of our community more than we do right now, writes Emma Kennedy, Managing Director of The Echo.
Unfortunately, following on from the government announcement last week and closures of schools and sports facilities, we saw an almost total stop of all print advertising, which is our biggest revenue stream and pays the majority of our overheads.
Emma Kennedy from The Echo working remotely from home
Also, as part of our responsibility to help stop the spread of Covid-19 we have suspended our door-to-door newspaper sales network.
Buying The Echo at your door has been a tradition for so many for the past 40 years so, we are asking you to stay connected with us during this unprecedented time.
If you are doing a shop run for a neighbour or friend maybe pick up a copy of The Echo for them, or please subscribe online.
As a result of the loss of revenue, we have had to put 12 of our staff on temporary lay-off from this week, with the remaining eight staff members, who cover newsroom and online, on a reduced working week.
This will allow us to continue covering current and breaking news, to cover the wonderful stories of community spirit, support and solidarity, something that wouldn’t always get acknowledged without the work of our local journalists.
Most importantly, it will allow us to still be here. To still be here providing information to the communities we serve. To continue being your voice and your connection to your community.
Tallaght, Clondalkin, Lucan and Ballyfermot have always been extremely supportive of The Echo, trusting us with their stories and working with us in promoting and celebrating local life.
The Echo is what it is because of you, and the communities it covers – our pages are filled with your stories every week.
The Echo is still here after 40 years because of these stories, and now we need your support more than ever – so that we can continue to support you.
We are currently upgrading our online subscription sevice and we are calling on all our readers, and those who may be living abroad, to subscribe to our online version.
If you experience any problems while we are upgrading call us here in the office on 01-4685350 and we will help you through the process.
This will ultimately alleviate the loss of some of our advertising and newspaper sales revenue and play a major role in saving The Echo.
The online subscription is a great option to get the paper to your phone, iPad, laptop or PC.
Emma Kennedy, MD The Echo, in Sean Walsh Park
It looks and feels just like the physical paper, very easy to flip from page to page, and you can zoom in on pages and articles and even download pages.
Readers can also look back on any papers that have been uploaded over recent years.
It will be an ideal option to keep up-to-date with local news, especially over the coming weeks when we all limit and restrict our movements.
The health and safety of our readers is extremely important, therefore the online subscription will be ideal if you can’t get to the shop. We offer a yearly subscription of €50 – with options also available for shorter one, three and six month sign-ups.
With the reduction in advertising, the loss of community and sporting events you may notice some changes in the coming weeks.
The Echo is likely to have fewer pages but our commitment is to continue to bring you the essential information and insight you can trust.
These are uncertain times but one thing we know for sure, is that we’re all in it together.
The Echo will be going above and beyond to make sure that we keep you informed, connected and heard over the coming months, so keep in touch by phone, email or social media.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our own staff for their commitment to us and the community. Also a huge thank you to the front line staff in our communities who are doing everything in their power to protect us.
To you, our readers, thank you for standing by us and supporting real local news.
After 40 years in the community we want to ensure we’re here to cover your stories for the next forty and beyond, Emma.
