How does Southampton Wire ensure independence in its reviews?
All reviews published by Southampton Wire are produced entirely independently of any commercial, political or personal influence. Our editorial team, led by Editor-in-Chief William Ashby, makes every review decision based on local relevance, accuracy and fairness. We never accept payment or favours in exchange for coverage, and sponsored content is always clearly labelled. You can read more about our ownership and funding at /ownership-funding/.
Sliema Media Limited, the Maltese company that owns the site, has no say in editorial conclusions. The reviews team reports directly to William Ashby and Managing Editor Sarah Mills. Diane Forbes, our Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, ensures every review is checked for bias and factual accuracy before publication. Our editorial policy prohibits any arrangement that could compromise objectivity.
What disclosure do we provide for affiliate links?
Whenever a review contains affiliate links – for example, links to bookshops, ticketing platforms or local services that may earn us a small commission – we state that clearly at the top or bottom of the article. Our advertising and affiliate disclosure explains how these links work and that they never affect the review’s rating, recommendation or conclusions.
Affiliate revenue helps fund our local journalism, but it never drives what we write. If a local café, theatre or shop is reviewed, any link we include is for your convenience, not for profit. We do not accept payment for positive reviews, and sponsored content is always segregated from editorial reviews. For full details, see our sponsored content policy.
How are local reviews conducted?
Southampton Wire reviews are conducted by named journalists with direct knowledge of the South Coast. For example, Community & Crime Correspondent Lucy Palmer covers community venues and events, while Business & Property Correspondent Oscar Brooks reviews local services and retailers. Each reviewer visits the location, uses the service or attends the event themselves.
Reviewers take notes, gather evidence (e.g. menus, prices, opening hours) and write a draft that is fact-checked by Diane Forbes. Sources are named where possible; anonymous tips are treated with caution. We follow the same standards as our news reporting, outlined in our regional reporting policy. No AI tool is used to generate opinions or quotes – human judgement alone decides the final verdict.
What you can expect from us
Every review will be written by a named member of our team, clearly dated and, where relevant, updated if the business changes. We aim to reflect the experience of an ordinary reader, not an expert critic, so reviews are practical and honest. If we make a mistake, we correct it promptly – see our corrections policy.
We disclose any free samples, press tickets or discounts received before or after a review. If a reviewer has a personal connection to the subject (e.g. a family member works there), that conflict is declared in the article. Our goal is to help you decide where to spend your time and money in Southampton and Hampshire, without spin or favour.
Questions or concerns?
If you believe a review is unfair, inaccurate or undisclosed, please contact our fact-checking team at factcheck@southamptonwire.co.uk or our complaints desk at complaints@southamptonwire.co.uk. You can also reach Editor-in-Chief William Ashby directly at william.ashby@southamptonwire.co.uk. We take all feedback seriously and will respond within five working days. For more on how we handle concerns, see our complaints procedure.