A popular Hunter magazine is shutting up shop, with last week’s print issue to be its last.

Newcastle Weekly, which had a circulation of 38,000 thousand people, has been discontinued.

The move’s being put down to financial pressures and the impact of the pandemic and lockdowns. 

Owner Nick Samaras says it’s been a long time coming.

“It appears as though it’s been quick, but we’ve been struggling with the effect of the lockdowns for now more than two years,” Mr Samaras said.

“The reason for the closure has been a combination of lockdowns, and also a worldwide paper shortages, which has seen an increase in our printing costs from the first of May of nearly 30 percent.”

Eight journalists and sales staff are out of a job due to the closure.

It comes after around seven years in business, originally launched in May 2015.

Mr Samaras says, it was a tough decision, but Newcastle Weekly’s online publication will also cease.

“I thought about that, but I think it’s good for the people to get on with their lives,” Mr Samaras said.

“The website will come down at the end of the month, and they’ll have to face the struggle of trying to find permanent employment.”