PA to refund small publishers' membership fee

The Publishers Association has announced it will refund three months' worth of membership fees for small publishers, in recognition of the trading difficulties faced during lockdown. 

The 25% discount will apply to all publisher members with revenues of less than £9m, if they renew at any point this year. Those who have already renewed will also be receiving a refund. 

Chief executive Stephen Lotinga said: “This year has been an incredibly challenging period for publishers, and it has been particularly difficult for our smallest members. We’re enormously grateful that publishers continue to support our work despite the difficult times and we now want to play our small part in helping them get back on their feet.
 
“The industry is in great shape to rebound very quickly and we continue to make the case to government as to why they need to provide the right support to help get this world-leading industry back to where it should be.”

The decision was taken at a recent meeting of the PA Council, the first held since the a.g.m. in May, after a discussion about how to support smaller publishers.