We publish free, positive print magazines that showcase the bright side of Kent’s vibrant towns and cities. Packed with stories covering local art, culture, music, business, food, drink, property, and interiors, our publications are designed to celebrate and empower the communities they serve.
Our roots began in Margate where we launched our very first title, the Margate Mercury, in 2016. Since then, we have grown into a collective of nine independent titles across the county, including Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Deal, Whitstable, Folkestone, Canterbury, Faversham, and Rochester. Every single magazine is led by editors, writers, and photographers who live locally, ensuring our pages truly represent the authentic heart and soul of each town.
Our Award-Winning Journalism
Our commitment to high-quality independent storytelling has earned us consecutive recognition at the prestigious Kent Press and Broadcast Awards (KPBA):
- 2020 & 2022: The Margate Mercury was awarded Highly Commended Magazine of the Year.
- 2024: Both the Margate Mercury and The Broadstairs Beacon took home the top honour of KPBA Magazine of the Year.
- 2026: Brightside Media’s complete portfolio of nine magazines collectively won KPBA Magazine of the Year, with judges highlighting our hyper-local focus and giving a special commendation to the Deal Despatch.
OUR TEAM
Each magazine is led by an editor who lives locally and is passionate about their town, commissioning locals to write about what matters to locals.
Jen Brammer
Co-Founder and Advertising Director
Having led advertising teams in national and local publications for 20 years, Jen joined Clare to work on the Margate Mercury in November 2017, having moved to Margate earlier that year. The natural next step was to expand the brand across Thanet as a team, and now further along the East Kent coast. When not working on the magazines Jen can be found roller skating her children to school or swimming in the tide pool.
Clare Freeman
Founder
Clare created the Margate Mercury in June 2016 when she moved to the town from London and spotted the need for a high-quality free publication. She is a serial entrepreneur and writer with over 10 years experience working in publishing, start-ups and PR. She lives in Margate with her daughter Beth and dog Teddy.
Lizzy Tweedale
Design Director
Lizzy teamed up with founder Clare Freeman in 2016 to create the first issue of the Margate Mercury and has been an instrumental member of the team ever since. For her work at Brightside she was awarded Kent Designer of the Year at the Kent Press and Broadcast Awards 2022. She lives in Margate with her dog Olive.
Emma Lewer
Distribution Manager
Emma spent 25 years as a freelance fashion stylist in TV, advertising and music. She moved to Ramsgate from Hackney in 2019 with her son Rudi for fresher air, less stress and more time for the little things…like their one year old massive puppy Babs. Emma loves Ramsgate for the great community, the architecture, the beautiful beaches and the bubbling creative scene.
Esther Ellard
Account Manager
Esther is a trained Graphic Designer and experienced Operations Manager. She moved from London to Deal late 2020 seeking fresher air, more space and new opportunities.
Sophie Batchelor
Advertising Executive
Sophie has over 20 years experience in the advertising and fundraising world. Having always wanted to live by the sea she took the jump and moved from Peckham to Margate in 2017. Her passions are anything involving cheese.
Christina Learmonth
Publishing Administrator
Christina was born in Margate and moved to London to work in the film industry, where she spent eight years developing her creative skills. Missing the sea air, she relocated back to Thanet in 2024 and joined the Brightside team. In her free time, she enjoys running, drawing, and exploring the Kent coastline.
Laura Tait
Editor of the Margate Mercury
Originally from Edinburgh, Laura grew up in southeast London, where she later built her writing and editing career, including as an investigative journalist, a dating columnist, a brand creative, and author of two romantic comedy novels. A spontaneous move to Margate in 2017 finally allowed her to get a dog; the stunning beaches and the town's creative, welcoming community have been huge bonuses.
Lila Allen
Editor of the Ramsgate Recorder
Lila is a freelance documentary producer and director whose films have been broadcast on the BBC. A journalist by training she has also worked for radio and the Ramsgate Recorder is a return to her first love, print.
Natalie Wall
Editor of the Broadstairs Beacon
Natalie has spent the past 20 years in lifestyle editorial, from digital fashion editor at Cosmopolitan to writing regularly for the Evening Standard's Homes & Property pages. She made the move to Broadstairs in 2022 after falling for the town years earlier. She loves a disco ball and thinks leopard print is definitely a neutral.
Laura Armstrong
Editor of Canterbury Courier
Laura moved to Canterbury for university 10 years ago and never quite left. During her studies she was a writer and editor for various university publications. She has built a professional career in marketing and social media management. In her spare time you’ll usually find her chasing after her two young children in a soft play somewhere.
Eve Chataway
Editor of the Whitstable Whistler
Eve has lived in Whitstable for eleven years, having previously resided in sunny Sydney, Australia. She has a wealth of experience as an Editor, having worked for several years at a homes and interiors publishing company providing columns and supplements for publications including the Daily Telegraph, Evening Standard, Woman & Home and Sunday Times.
Simon Richmond
Editor of the Folkestone Foghorn
Simon is a freelance writer, photographer, podcaster and public speaker with over 30 years of experience of researching and writing travel guidebooks, non-fiction books, magazine features and news. He’s worked regularly for publishers including Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, National Geographic and Time Out as well as for newspapers such as The Independent and The Guardian. He’s called Folkestone home since 2015.
Bronagh Miskelly
Editor of Faversham Firework
Originally from the north of Ireland, Bronagh lived in London before moving to Faversham because she fell in love with the active and varied community. She had a successful career as a journalist and magazine editor before going freelance to pursue her other love, knitting. She now combines writing and editing with being an award-winning knitwear designer.
Murray Healy
Group Sub Editor
Murray has been working in style magazines as a writer and editor for many years, from The Face and i-D in the 1990s to Arena Homme+, Pop and Love. He lives in Margate and is currently editorial director of the twice-yearly fashion title, Perfect.
Rachel Woollett
Editor of the Rochester Radar and Group Sub-editor
Born in Medway and raised in Thanet, Rachel has been editing and writing for national and international publications for more than 25 years, in both features and news, on titles including Metro, Psychologies and Condé Nast Traveller. Rachel also writes and edits fiction and has won prizes for her comedy writing.
Twinkle Troughton
Social Media Manager for Thanet Publications
Twinkle is an artist who moved to Margate in 2014. After establishing local arts blog Cloud CT9, Twinkle began working for Margate Mercury from its inception as the arts writer and editor. Twinkle has exhibited internationally, curates exhibitions and now runs the Margate Mercury, Ramsgate Recorder and Broadstairs Beacon social media platforms.
WORK FOR US
We commission a wide range of writers, photographers and illustrators to contribute to our magazines, and all our contributors are paid. If you are interested in working for us please email us on info@brightsidepublishing.com.
