Exactly 50 years ago, News Shopper launched into Orpington with London’s first free newspaper.

Britain’s first ever controlled circulation newspaper went into 29,000 homes completely free of charge.

Five decades after this great newspaper took its first steps, it is still going strong and now reaches a combined audience of more than 420,000 every week through its newspapers and website.

The first edition was, not surprisingly, printed in black and white and was just 12 pages. You will find all 12 pages reproduced here

News Shopper:

This first edition of your favourite newspaper featured a number of goodwill messages, including one from its illustrious local Liberal MP Eric Lubbock. Now aged 86 and a Buddhist, Lord Avebury still serves in the House of Lords today.

Among the pages of the first edition you would have discovered the following gems:

  • South Pacific was showing at the Commodore, with a special Sunday showing of None But The Brave, starring Frank Sinatra
  • An E-type Jaguar in midnight blue would set you back £1,175
  • The newspaper’s pop charts featured the Seekers, Donovan, Bob Dylan, Tom Jones and the Rolling Stones
  • And Cray Wanderers recorded a semi-final victory over Bromley that earned them a place in the final of the Greater London League Cup, against Maidstone at Easter.

To celebrate and commemorate News Shopper’s 50th anniversary we will be publishing a special magazine featuring the newspaper’s proud history, including some of its best known stories and best loved campaigns, but you can find many more details about our anniversary right now on our website in our Shopper At 50 section

You will also find a form where you can share your memories with us, we would love to hear from you. Or just email us at shopper50@london.newsquest.co.uk