[2] It is based in Southport on Merseyside, and was quickly recognised by the National Union of Journalists as well as other media groups,[3] authorities and organizations as a newspaper.
The idea started when Patrick Trollope[6][7] decided to use unpublished news as a single page on a website called Formby Online, run by Andy Johnson, over 1998 and 1999, after studying at Wolverhampton University.
[9] The interest shown during 1999 helped the idea develop quicker, but produced bandwidth restriction problems by the end of 1999.
[22] After Liverpool's run as European Capital of Culture 2008, tourism was at an all-time high in the area, so by 2009, questions within the Merseyside's community were being asked about the city's next steps.
[28] The event showcased seven UK award-winning authors including those who were published in the book: Jon Mayhew, Tommy Donbavand, Barry Hutchison,[29] Philip Caveney, Joseph Delaney and David Gatward.
[31] In 2013 the group started backing the Liverpool JCI[32] as part of their aim to use the online paper to help development and improve the area's image.
As they have a connection to book publishing via that name, this is worth keeping an eye on, as very little movement has taken place on some of the group's other websites.