Former editors reflect on the decade long story of the borough’s only independent newspaper

Waltham Forest Echo has just celebrated a remarkable milestone – ten years and more than 100 issues in print. In an era when many local papers have been forced to close their doors or move entirely online, the Echo has not only survived but flourished. It has become a vital part of the community, offering a platform for stories that truly reflect the concerns, triumphs, and identity of Waltham Forest.

The story of our newspaper is one of community spirit, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to high-quality local journalism. David Floyd, founder of the Echo and director of Social Spider, the social enterprise behind the paper, reflects on its origins: “The Echo was born out of a need for an independent voice in the borough. Local charities and residents felt there was a gap in local media – a space
where critical issues could be discussed without the influence of corporate or government interests.”

Before launching the Echo, Social Spider’s first community publishing venture was One in Four, a national mental health magazine. As that project wrapped up, they turned their attention to Waltham Forest. “We didn’t have huge ambitions at the start. We secured a modest grant of £10,000 from the National Lottery to cover the first four issues,” says David. Initially, the plan was to produce a quarterly newspaper, largely driven by volunteers.

The Echo’s first issue hit the stands in the summer of 2014. “At first, the reception wasn’t overwhelming,” David recalls. “Some people thought we were a council publication. But as more people found out about the paper, and the quality improved with time, it gradually
built a following.”

The first ever issue of the Echo dropped in summer 2014

For former editor James Cracknell, the Echo’s longevity can be attributed to its unique focus. “The Echo offers something other local media don’t – locally-based journalists writing solely about Waltham Forest and what matters to the people here. It’s not about making profits; it’s about telling the stories that other outlets overlook.”

Moreover, the Echo’s editorial approach is inherently participatory. Many of its contributors are local residents themselves, meaning that the stories featured in the paper are written by the people who are living through the issues they’re writing about.

“The Echo is special because it’s a forum for residents’ voices,” says Elizabeth Atkin, who edited the paper in 2021. “People care about the stories because they’re written by their neighbours, people who understand the area.”

Throughout the past decade, the paper has maintained its independence, which has been key to building trust with readers. “We
don’t answer to corporate interests or shareholders,” says David, adding: “Our only responsibility is to the community.” This has allowed the Echo to tackle tough issues head-on, from environmental concerns to local politics, and hold power to account.

“The corporate publishers have lost sight of what local journalism should be about,” adds James. “They’ve become focused on maximising profit while producing the minimum level of journalism. The Echo is about trying to make as much journalism for the community as possible, using the resources available.”

The Echo’s business model – supported by a combination of advertising and over 300 paid subscribers – has also been key to its survival. “The business model for local news is broken, and we knew from the start that making lots of money wasn’t going to be the priority,” David explains. “But we’ve been able to build a model that works by staying true to our mission of providing independent, high-quality journalism.”

As the Echo moves forward, our commitment to community-led journalism remains stronger than ever. The Echo isn’t just a newspaper – it’s a forum for local voices, a platform for important conversations, and a reflection of the vibrant, diverse borough it serves. “The fact that we’ve made it ten years is proof of the strength of community journalism,” says James. “As long as there are stories to tell, and people who care about what’s happening in their area, the Echo will continue to thrive.”

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

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