The National (Wales) was a Welsh daily news outlet that launched on under the ownership of Newsquest. Designed as both a compact-format newspaper and an online platform, it aimed to give Wales a stronger national media voice in contrast to the heavily UK-focused coverage found in most newspapers available across the region.
The paper was edited by Gavin Thompson, supported by a small editorial team including Michael Sweet (Audience and Content Editor) and Gareth Axenderrie (Reporter). Another reporter, Rachel Nurse, was also part of the founding team but tragically passed away in October 2021. The publication distinguished itself by being apolitical, branding itself as “pro-Wales,” unlike its Scottish namesake The National, which is known for its clear political stance.
Background and Vision
The idea for The National (Wales) was initiated by media entrepreneur Huw Marshall, who wanted to provide Welsh readers with an alternative to London-based reporting. He highlighted that while Scotland enjoyed a vibrant press landscape, Wales lacked a truly national newspaper. During the Covid-19 pandemic, this absence became more obvious as many readers had to rely on news written from an English perspective.
The outlet officially launched just three days after the appearance of another Welsh digital publication, Herald.Wales. Within its first three weeks, it had already gained over 400 paid subscribers and set a target of 1,000. Thompson stated that once the target was reached, the paper planned to hire a dedicated political correspondent.
Shift to Weekly and Closure
Although The National started as a daily publication, it quickly switched to a weekly format in April 2021. By November of the same year, the print edition was discontinued, leaving the online platform as its main channel of publication. Despite the digital transition, the site struggled to grow its subscriber base amidst economic challenges.
On , it was announced that The National (Wales) would close due to a combination of financial pressures and declining subscriptions. Just a few days later, on , the website went offline permanently, marking the end of the publication after only 18 months of operation.
Domain Availability
With the closure of The National (Wales), the domain www.thenational.wales has now become available for purchase. This presents a unique opportunity for media startups, organizations, or businesses seeking a strong digital identity linked to Wales and its national voice.
Interested parties who wish to acquire the domain can reach out directly via email at: thenationalwales@gmail.com.
Note: The National (Wales) is no longer active. This article serves as a record of its history and closure, along with information about the availability of its original domain name.