Last edition of London Lite publication

The London Lite, the free daily circular distributed throughout London, published its last editions on Friday. The title, which included generous fashion pages, is being closed because of concerns about its "commercial viability" expressed by its owner, Associated Newspapers. London Lite had a daily circulation of 400,000 in September, according to the most recent industry figures.

It launched in 2006 to compete with the London Paper, which News International has since closed, and the Evening Standard, which is now a free title.

The number of free publications available led to a dispute with Westminster Council, which said it had collected an extra 1,000 tonnes of paper as litter in a year. Associated Newspapers and News International agreed to buy about 40 customised bins in central London and recycle their contents.

There was speculation that London Lite, which has 36 employees, might close following the Evening Standard's decision to scrap its 50p cover price a month ago.

Media commentator Roy Greenslade, a former editor of The Mirror, said there had been a "great retreat" by publishers responsible for London-wide titles. "Cities have gradually lost their newspapers and, the truth is, people are reading fewer newspapers," he told BBC London 94.9. "They're getting most of their stuff online nowadays or off the television or on the radio, and they don't feel they need to read any more."

Image: London Lite logo