The Bell

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Overview

The Bell is an independent local newspaper covering Glasgow, Scotland. It publishes narrative long reads, investigations, political analysis, and cultural coverage, delivered primarily by email as well as on the web.

Founding and Origins

The Bell launched on September 30, 2024, as the fifth title from Mill Media, a UK network of subscription-funded local newsletters. It began publishing without a paywall, with initial coverage free to all readers before a paid membership tier followed. The founding staff were Robbie Armstrong and Moya Lothian-McLean, who said the title aimed to reflect back a picture of Glasgow that its everyday residents recognized but did not always see in the media they consumed.

Coverage and Editorial Character

The paper's editorial mix spans investigations, long-form narrative features, culture and food writing, and political coverage of Glasgow and Scotland. Investigative work has included reporting on the financial troubles of restaurant chain Tony Macaroni, the ownership structure behind Glasgow Pride, and a tax-avoidance scheme involving a charity and major city landlords. It operates within the wider Mill Media network of subscription-funded city titles, which also includes The Mill (Manchester), The Sheffield Tribune, The Liverpool Post, The Birmingham Dispatch, and The Londoner, and its journalists occasionally collaborate with reporters from those sister titles.

Funding and Ownership

The Bell is published by Mill Media, registered in England as The Millers Publishing Company Limited. Mill Media's titles are funded primarily through reader subscriptions, supplemented by advertising and outside investment; backers have included Mark Thompson, the CNN chief executive and former director-general of the BBC.

Key Personnel

Co-founder: Robbie Armstrong
Investigative Reporter: Calum Grewar
Reporter: Beth Templeton
Mill Media Founder: Joshi Herrmann

Audience

The Bell serves readers in Glasgow through a free weekly mailing list and a paid membership tier that unlocks additional stories, comments, and members-only events. It draws on a roster of freelance contributors, including several former staff writers at Scottish outlets such as The Herald and The National.

Access and Contact

Regular stories are free to read via The Bell's mailing list; a paid membership tier unlocks additional reporting and members-only events. Advertising inquiries: grace@millmediaco.uk. Editorial contact: editor@glasgowbell.co.uk. Website: glasgowbell.co.uk