Premier Christian Media/CCP Ltd. has ceased publication of the trade publication Christian Marketplace and reduced the number of editions it publishes of The Christian Marketplace consumer magazine from five to two a year.

Both magazines—made available for free to the Christian retailing trade in the U.K.—are funded solely through advertising revenue. The demise in the last four years of two major bookshop chains and a key distributor combined with the impact of a downturned economy and rising postal charges had made a significant impact on income streams, Premier/CCP said.

Christian Marketplace became free to retailers in 2006 as a demonstration of support, a practice that was extended to other trade "subscribers" and to church leaders and influencers. The Christian Marketplace consumer magazine was launched in 2010 as a marketing tool for retailers. The first 300 copies of each issue were also provided free of charge to stores.

The September issue of the trade magazine will be the final issue. The consumer version will be published in late September and will then follow a March and October publication cycle tying into the pre-Easter and Christmas period. It will continue to publish 100,000 copies per issue.

Premier/CCP said these decisions in no way reflect negatively on Clem Jackson, editor of the magazines, who was lauded by the directors for his hard work and dedication.

This summer, Premier/CCP is launching a new bi-monthly, Childrenswork Magazine, for all Christians working with children. And in the near future, the company plans to launch digital versions of all of its titles, including Youthwork and Christianity magazine for iPad, Kindle and smartphone formats.