EVER since PCBT Photography was established in the late 1990’s by Patrick Trollope BA (Hons) LBPPA, our ethos has stayed the same. That ethos is to help develop and support both tourism and business within and around the Merseyside area. The services were originally aimed at the more traditional media practices but since the start, PCBT Photography has been on the cutting edge of digital developments. PCBT Photography where quick to see the potential of the Internet as an outlet for news and information. This ethos and ability to see the potential of the Internet lead to the development and testing of an online news services, that was to become Southport Reporter and later lead to the development of the hub website Mersey Reporter and other sites like Liverpool Reporter. The idea of splitting the sections up, offers readers more choices and grater exposure for advertisers, not forgetting increasing the ability to develop. The aim was always to have Mersey Reporter as the main site, but Southport Reporter, still to this day is the flag ship, thanks to its very early international success. By the time the other sites had all come online, the market had grown far to big for the PCBT Photography brand and it was felt that the name did not represent what they did. This change lead to PBT Media Relations Ltd. being formed and it now handles all the invoicing and sales, leaving PCBT Photography to do what it does best… So if you come with us you are in very experienced hands.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

Just like any other newspaper or news group, we cover current news topics that affect us all. That can range from significant occurrences such state visits by the Queen, The Prime Minister through to large events like the Capital of Culture celebrations of 2008 and the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002. That’s not forgetting smaller scale happenings you would find in most local papers, like Police requests for information and reports about road accidents, local church fetes and other community news and events. The best way of finding out is by logging on… SouthportReporter.com or sign up for our free email service on:- formby-reporter.com.

We have had online copy of national newspaper for years, but we became the first to only ever be online in the UK. This has been verified both in national and international press. Unlike traditional papers who have only just started to really go online, we have been on line since 2000 and we have never had a hard copy version, making us far more environmentally friendly and streets ahead of the none virtual competition.

People like you. We have a wide range of people reading our site, from professionals through to students and even children at school.

Well you have now and we hope you enjoy the experience! We have conducted lots of research and it shocks us just how many think we are owned and or run by other media outlets. But the same people still use our websites. If we run a story, those people take note and in fact other media outlets then ask us for the story! So you do get noticed very quickly!

Well, we would say use them as well. You have to remember that the more you are seen the better, no matter how big or small your business is. What we offer is low cost advertisement solutions, with long term gains. A traditional outlet often does not have a focus on the long term, and if it does, it will cost you! Our commitment to online news has kept us miles ahead of the traditional market. That is why we are seen as a market leader.

Well, how do possible clients find your site? Of the many sites which are displayed on Google and similar search engines, for categories such as Liverpool newspapers and Merseyside media, Southport Reporter and our related sites have many of the highest listings. So having an advert on our site markedly increases the chances of your business being found by potential clients. Also, the more links to your site, the higher the ranking your site achieves on search engines… That’s just the start… If you get listed with us, your name will be seen more frequently and when someone wants a product or service you offer, they are more likely to think of you.

For a start our costs are generally lower. We also deliver a wider range of service. Traditional media might have a good, local circulation, but we also have a large local circulation. People often now scan the web for all types of services and/or products, many of whom are local and they are more likely to find you on the internet. Being on establish site that is local will give your business credibility and also gives confidence to a potential customer. On top of that our large audience might not look like it would be of benefit to you on the surface, but do not forget tourists use this site, and some businesses can also sell products on here as well! Add to that, all our written and photographic material is kept archived and listed on search engines. As we have been online for a very long time, we are now listed all over the web as a recognised reference service, again adding hits to or site and more potential interest in your business. On a marketing level we can also tell you how many times your advert has been viewed and how many clicks it has generated; traditional media can’t do that. Taking out an avert with us in a long term investment and it does not stop you from advertising in the traditional formats as well. Additionally, some options we offer allow you to change and update your advert information. With traditional outlets, you cannot change the information once it has been published or broadcast.

MerseyReporter.com

MERSEY Reporter acts as both a portal site between our websites and as an information resource, game and business listing site.

Mersey Reporter is designed to be informative for both local people and for non-locals alike. It holds a free download section with screen savers and icons etc, historical information pages, local event and regional event information page, business listings and lots more.

At this present time we are redeveloping a new virtual tour of Merseyside, to show the area to non-locals.

The “Business Listing” is the hub of all our advertisement and all the sites. It has the main directory of all the businesses who advertise with us, as well as their banners and advert pages, links and information.

The historical listings cover the history of our region and are being regularly updated with new material, including video footage and lots of relevant information. This is used heavily by students, both at university and at school.

“Event Information.” This is designed for both locals and tourists to find out what is going on throughout the year in Merseyside and in the North West.

Southport Reporter®

SOUTHPORT Reporter is our flagship website. It was officially started in 2000 by PCBT Photography, run as an experiment, using the tag line Southport Weekly News. The name, Southport Reporter, was finalised late in 2000 and put up for trade marking in 2001, when the first fully branded edition went out on the internet. Southport Reporter became registered trade marked in 2002, as a regional newspaper/media outlet. The only unusual fact was that it is solely published online. As far as we can find out, we are the first UK based online newspaper to be recognised as a newspaper, by the major press bodies like the PCC and NUJ as well as international and national marketing groups. The format is set out to appeal to a large range of readers, from young to old, with the main emphasis of the news focusing on the Merseyside area. The style of reporting is the same as in any traditional newspaper, being sourced by professional journalists and photojournalists, and/or trainee journalists/photographers, who are being trained by our professional and highly skilled staff. Our virtual newspaper follows and runs under the same guidelines as all traditional media in the UK and follows the NUJ and the Press Complains ‘Code of Conduct’.

Our main objectives on Southport Reporter are to promote the region to the rest of the world and to inform the residents and businesses on Merseyside, what is happening within our local and regional community.   This reporting is done within a week by week format. Our aim is to have at least 95% news related stories with in each edition. Far higher than most traditional hard copy and virtual copy newspapers!

Formby-Reporter.com

FORMBY Reporter is under development. This is our new information service, offering daily news updates via email. This is an extra news resource covering news that affects us on Merseyside. The system is free, but a subscription service will be offered soon.

LiverpoolReporter.com

LIVERPOOL Reporter is a virtual radio station. Unlike a traditional radio stations, this station is web based only. It goes out all over the world and runs on one of the best, if not the best streaming media program, “Real Player”. We are developing a none Real Player system as well.

The radio stream’s primary role is to promote local culture through music and discussion. It also links up with national and international events and culture as part of our efforts to help promote Liverpool to other cultures. It does not carry audio adverts, except for band related information. That way we do not have problems that groups like YouTube have faced. The advertisement you will receive on this site, is just the same as on the other sites, thought banner adverts.

We are about to start a new service very soon on this site, so if you sign up, you will be kept posted as to developments.

If you have a band or are a solo artist and want want to get played, then please click on here to find out more!

Southport.TV

THIS is our online video archive. Launched in 2008, it holds documentaries about local history, including the Vikings (already online), and events like the 24-hour yacht race. It will also holds music videos and other acts which have come on board with us. We are also currently building a webcam network as well.