A new independently-owned free weekly newspaper is to be launched in Aberdeen on Thursday (July 28).

CityLife, a full-colour tabloid, has been developed by Aberdeen-based NER Media which is currently involved in print, publishing, PR and event management in North-east Scotland.

The newspaper, which will have a 32-page pilot run of 10,000 copies, is lifestyle orientated and focuses on the entertainment and cultural life of the Granite City.

It has a six-strong full-time launch team – headed by executive editor Paigham Mustafa and advertising and circulation director Keith Clark.

Glasgow-born Mustafa, who has a number of business interests in North-east Scotland, has been involved in  the publishing and print trade since the 1980s, and Aberdeen-born Clark, who has previously worked in the media in the Middle East and London, have been working on the launch for several months.

The newspaper, which features an editorial-to-advertising ratio of 60%-40%,  will be available widely in the city and  has also clinched a distribution deal with bus firm First Group who have the major bus franchise for Aberdeen and also own Scotrail.

Mustafa said: “All our research indicates that there is a definitive niche market in Europe’s oil capital for a free lifestyle weekly newspaper majoring on entertainment and culture. We have had an excellent initial response from advertisers.”

Newspaper publishing in North-east Scotland is dominated by Aberdeen Journals Ltd, owned by the Dundee-headquartered publishing giant DC Thomson, and whose main newspapers printed in the Granite City are the regional daily - the Press and Journal; the Aberdeen Evening Express; and free weekly - the Aberdeen Citizen.