Meet the Journalist: My South Bank editor Sarah Riches

Louise Pantani speaks with My South Bank editor Sarah Riches about the magazine’s launch, its links with the local community and the pitches she’d love to receive from PRs.

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Would you please start by telling us what this new magazine launch is all about?

My South Bank is a new free magazine that covers everything from upcoming events and free activities to recommended restaurants, bars and shops.

Readers can also find out about volunteering opportunities, classes to join and developments in the area. It focuses on SE1 – from Westminster Bridge to Blackfriars Bridge and up to around BFI IMAX, and will be distributed around that area from 20 October.

What made you choose the South Bank in particular? 

My South Bank is financed by South Bank BID (Business Improvement District), which funds and delivers projects to benefit the local area.

Who is the key audience? Are you aiming for a particular reader demographic?

My South Bank is for residents and workers based around the South Bank.

How can PRs help you with content for the magazine?

The next issue covers April-October 2018. I’m interested in events during that period – new restaurants, bars, shops and anything that would interest a resident or worker. For example, new courses for adults or charity initiatives.

What kind of press releases and media pitches would you really like to be sent to you for the next issue? 

I’d like to know more about free things to do, corporate social responsibility programmes and updates on developments in the area. I’ll need these by the end of January or early February for the spring/summer 2018 issue.

You have a section about ‘A day in the life of a local’. How can PRs/journalists help with that in particular? 

I welcome suggestions for notable, interesting local residents or workers. Perhaps they have an extraordinary job, or are invaluable to the South Bank community.

Finally if you could have anyone featured in the magazine to interview, who would it be?

Rufus Norris, the director of the National Theatre, or Heather Stewart, the creative director of BFI.