Simon Archer

Background

About Simon Archer

In December 2013, after 23 years in the Newspaper and Magazine industry, I launched my own local free magazine - the Wednesfield Magazine - now distributing copies every two months. After the success of the first title, I launched the Bilston Magazine, which first published in October 2014 and was quickly followed by Willenhall Life. In August 2016, I announced a fourth title - Wolverhampton City Life and have since added Darlaston & Wednesbury Life, which launched in December 2016. All five magazines are now established in the local community and have proved to be popular with both readers and advertisers. The aim is to assist local businesses by providing all round help and support with marketing and image improvement and/or to create brand awareness. I have also become involved in many of the community groups in each of the three areas. I am Treasurer of Hands On Wednesfield, a local community volunteer group, Trustee of the James Beattie Charitable Trust and also a Trustee of the Amethyst Academy Trust. In January 2016, I began a campaign to enter Wednesfield into Heart of England in Bloom. This group now regularly achieves a gold medal and has also won national awards. In 2017, I took on the role of Business Improvement District (BID) Manager for Bilston. The objective is to make businesses in Bilston, safer and more prosperous. In 2023, I successfully applied for upwards of £6m for a new Outdoor Market, with construction beginning in October 2024. I took a step back from the role of BID Manager, to allow me to focus on the magazines and to write my first book.more news to follow on that.