Janet Street-Porter reveals what Norwich and Norfolk people most like to read about
Embargoed: 16.00 hours 17 July 2024
Take That playing at Carrow Road, Norwich Airport extending its flights to Malta, Alicante and Faro and Anglia Square Shopping Centre going up for sale are the top stories people in Norwich and Norfolk have enjoyed reading about so far this year according to research by Readly, the digital magazine and newspaper app.
Other top moments involved the first East Anglian football derby between Norwich City and Ipswich Town since 2019 (24%) and Steve Coogan - otherwise known as Alan Partridge - spotted smelling cheeses at The Cheeseman stall in Norwich market whilst filming for his latest TV series (18%).
The generous £50,000 that was raised to protect Norwich’s hidden street with 15th century architecture at The Shoebox appeal also made the top list of 2024 as did Aussie soap star Toadfish from Neighbours appearing in ‘Toad on the Road’ in Norwich this September.
Nine in ten local people (84%) consider themselves to be up to date with local news and events. Almost half of those surveyed prefer to read something funny (43%), a third enjoy reading something heartwarming or inspirational (34%), 32 percent read for educational reasons and 22 percent read something nostalgic.
Janet Street-Porter, broadcaster and Norfolk resident said, “I have spent my fifty year working life in journalism so finding out what locals are interested in reading about tells me a lot about the character of a place. Norwich people have a very good sense of humour with funny, heartwarming and positive stories ranking highly in the survey but there’s also a healthy appetite for literature, culture and nostalgia.
Whether it’s reading something that makes you smile, learning a fascinating bit of local history or something to cry or cringe at, local news and these memorable moments spur on conversation and help to build local pride. As a Norfolk resident I want to know about places to visit, where to swim, surprising museums and secret gardens, special concerts and farmers’ markets. I also enjoy feuds and planning disputes as I originally trained as an architect!"
The topics Norwich and Norfolk people most like to read about are hobbies (33%), national or regional news (31%), politics (28%), money and the economy (28%) and food (27%), showed the research by Readly, the app with over 7,000 magazines and newspapers.
The top 20 moments so far in 2024 are:
- Take That playing at Carrow Road – 35%
- Norwich Airport now flies to Malta, Alicante and Faro! – 32%
- Anglia Square Shopping Centre in Norwich goes up or sale – 30%
- Norwich Castle reopening the Norman Keep in Summer 2024 – 25%
- First North Anglian derby (Norwich v Ipswich) since 2019 - in Norwich, April 2024 – 24%
- Royal Arcade celebrates 125 years – 18%
- Alan Partridge spotted filming and smelling cheeses at a stall in Norwich Market – 18%
- Norwich City appoints Johannes Hoff Thorup as manager – 18%
- £50k raised to protect Norwich’s hidden street at The Shoebox with architecture from the 15th century – 16%
- 650 XL bullies are living in Norwich – 16%
- Norwich Beer Festival cancelled for 2024 as The Halls is being repaired - 14%
- Norwich wins City of Literature for 2024 – 13%
- Norwich Games Festival returns 4 years after the pandemic – 12%
- Namaste Village wins East Anglian restaurant of the Year – 11%
- E-scooter trial in Norwich – 10%
- Sir Antony Gormley iron men pop up at Houghton Hall – 8%
- Arminghall Car Boot Sale at Ole Stoke Road returns – 8%
- World’s biggest chicken wing festival comes to Norwich – 7%
- Aussie soap star Toadfish from Neighbours brings Toad on the Road to Norwich in September – 7%
- Tofurei vegan cafe named by National Geographic as a leader in plant-based dining – 4%
Janet Adds, “The list did make me smile. It encapsulates all the local area has to offer and indicates what type of readers local people are. From foodies to football fans, to culture, literature and comedy, Norwich has it all and don’t we love to read about it!”
Readly, the digital magazine and newspaper app, is offering Norwich and Norfolk residents 2 months of free reading as part of its ‘What type of reader are you campaign’ this summer? For more information, visit www.readly.com/nw
ENDS
For media enquiries:
For more details contact: kate.tegelaars@readly.com or 07879 818 711
Research
The research for Readly was carried out online by Opinion Matters throughout 03.07.2024 -
09.07.2024 amongst a panel resulting in 500 respondents in Norwich & Norfolk aged 16+.
About Readly
Readly is the European category leader for digital magazines. The company offers a digital subscription service that gives customers unlimited access to 7,600 magazines and newspapers. Readly has subscribers in more than 50 countries and content available in 17 different languages. In collaboration with 1200 publishers worldwide, Readly is digitising the magazine and newspaper industry. In 2022, revenues amounted to SEK 592 million. Since September 2020, the Readly share is listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market. For more information, please visit https://corporate.readly.com
