Ending your The Courier membership made easy

About The Courier

The Courier is one of Scotland's longest-established regional newspapers, serving Tayside, Fife, and Perthshire since 1816. Published by DC Thomson Media, this daily newspaper has built a loyal readership across Dundee, Perth, St Andrews, and surrounding areas for over two centuries. The publication delivers comprehensive coverage of local news, sport, business, and community events that matter most to residents in these regions.

What sets The Courier apart from national newspapers is its deep-rooted connection to local communities. The paper employs dedicated journalists who live and work in the areas they cover, providing insider knowledge and context that national publications simply cannot match. From Dundee United and St Johnstone football coverage to local council decisions affecting your neighbourhood, The Courier focuses on stories that directly impact your daily life.

The newspaper is available in both print and digital formats. Print subscribers receive their newspaper delivered to their doorstep each morning, whilst digital subscribers access content through The Courier's website and mobile apps. Many readers opt for combination packages that provide both formats, allowing them to read the physical paper at breakfast and catch up on breaking news digitally throughout the day.

DC Thomson Media, the publisher behind The Courier, also produces other well-known titles including The Press and Journal, The Sunday Post, and various magazines. This established media company has been family-owned for generations, maintaining a strong commitment to quality journalism and community service across Scotland.

Plans, features and pricing

The Courier offers several subscription options designed to suit different reading preferences and budgets. Understanding these plans is essential before cancelling, as your notice period and final payment may vary depending on which subscription type you hold.

Print subscription options

Print subscriptions remain popular among traditional newspaper readers who enjoy the tactile experience of reading a physical paper. Home delivery subscriptions ensure your newspaper arrives at your doorstep each morning, typically before 7am on weekdays. This convenience eliminates trips to newsagents and guarantees you never miss an issue.

Keep in mind that these prices fluctuate based on promotional offers and your specific delivery location. Rural areas sometimes incur additional delivery charges, whilst introductory offers for new subscribers can significantly reduce initial costs.

Digital subscription packages

Digital subscriptions provide unlimited access to The Courier's website content, including premium articles, digital editions, and breaking news alerts. The digital edition replicates the print newspaper's layout, allowing you to read the paper exactly as it appears in print but on your tablet, smartphone, or computer.

Most digital subscriptions cost between £8 and £15 monthly, depending on whether you choose a basic package or premium access with additional features. Digital-only subscribers can access content immediately after midnight, several hours before print copies reach doorsteps.

Combination packages

Many subscribers choose combination packages that include both print delivery and digital access. These bundles typically offer better value than purchasing each service separately. Combination packages usually range from £30 to £40 monthly, providing flexibility to read in whichever format suits your circumstances each day.

Additionally, some packages include access to DC Thomson's other publications, such as The Sunday Post or specialist supplements covering topics like property, motors, and farming. These extras add value but also complicate cancellation if you only wish to terminate one element of your subscription.

Terms of service and cancellation policy

Understanding The Courier's cancellation policy before you begin the process saves considerable time and prevents unexpected charges. Most importantly, newspaper subscriptions fall under specific UK consumer protection regulations that grant you certain rights regardless of what the company's terms state.

Standard notice periods

The Courier typically requires subscribers to provide notice before cancellation takes effect. For most subscription types, the standard notice period ranges from 14 to 28 days. This means your subscription continues—and you continue paying—for this period after submitting your cancellation request.

Here's what you need to know about notice periods: if you're on a monthly rolling contract, you usually need to provide notice before your next billing date to avoid being charged for another month. Annual subscribers who cancel mid-term may face different conditions, potentially including early termination fees or forfeiture of any discounted rate you received for committing to a longer term.

UK consumer rights and cooling-off periods

Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, UK consumers have specific rights when cancelling subscriptions. If you signed up for your subscription online, by phone, or through a door-to-door salesperson, you're entitled to a 14-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel without penalty or reason.

This cooling-off period begins the day after you subscribe or the day after you receive your first newspaper, whichever comes later. During this window, you can cancel immediately without serving any notice period. However, you may need to pay for any newspapers you've already received at the standard single-copy price.

Automatic renewals and continuous payment authority

Many Courier subscriptions automatically renew at the end of their term unless you actively cancel. If you initially signed up for a three-month or annual subscription at a promotional rate, it likely converts to a monthly rolling contract at the standard rate once your initial term expires.

Keep in mind that automatic renewals mean you must cancel proactively. The newspaper won't contact you to ask whether you wish to continue—your subscription simply renews, and payments continue. This catches many subscribers off guard, especially when promotional rates end and the standard higher rate begins.

Refund policies

Refund entitlement depends on your subscription type and when you cancel. Monthly subscribers rarely receive refunds since cancellation typically takes effect at the end of the current billing period you've already paid for. Annual subscribers who cancel mid-term may receive partial refunds, though this often comes with deductions for any promotional discount you received.

Most importantly, document everything related to your cancellation. If The Courier continues charging you after your cancellation should have taken effect, you'll need proof of when you submitted your cancellation request to dispute these charges with your bank or card provider.

Cancelling by post - the complete guide

Postal cancellation remains the most reliable method for terminating newspaper subscriptions in the UK. Unlike phone calls that leave no record or online forms that may not submit properly, a posted letter creates indisputable proof that you requested cancellation on a specific date. This matters enormously if disputes arise about when your cancellation should take effect or whether you're entitled to refunds.

Why postal cancellation protects you best

First, understand that posted cancellation requests, particularly those sent via Recorded Delivery, provide legal evidence that courts and financial institutions recognise. If The Courier claims they never received your cancellation or disputes the date you submitted it, your Recorded Delivery receipt proves otherwise.

Next, postal cancellation creates a paper trail that survives staff changes, system migrations, and administrative errors. Phone conversations depend on customer service representatives accurately logging your request into their system—something that doesn't always happen, especially during busy periods or staff transitions. Written requests exist independently of any individual employee's actions.

Additionally, sending cancellation by post forces you to include all necessary information in one communication. You'll provide your account details, contact information, and cancellation request clearly and completely, reducing back-and-forth that delays the process when details are missing.

Essential information to include in your letter

Your cancellation letter must include specific details that allow The Courier to identify your account and process your request efficiently. At minimum, include your full name exactly as it appears on your subscription, your complete delivery address, your subscriber account number if you have it, and your contact telephone number and email address.

State clearly and unambiguously that you wish to cancel your subscription. Use direct language such as "I am writing to cancel my subscription to The Courier" rather than vague phrases like "I am considering ending my subscription" or "I may wish to stop receiving the newspaper." Ambiguous language gives the company grounds to claim you never definitively requested cancellation.

Specify when you want the cancellation to take effect. You might write "Please cancel my subscription immediately" or "Please cancel my subscription at the end of the current billing period." If you're within the 14-day cooling-off period, state this explicitly and reference the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.

Request written confirmation of your cancellation, including the effective date when your subscription ends and when final payment will be taken. This confirmation becomes crucial evidence if problems occur later.

The correct postal address for cancellations

Sending your cancellation letter to the correct address is absolutely critical. Letters sent to the wrong department or office can delay processing by weeks or even go missing entirely. The Courier's customer service team handles subscription cancellations at this address:

• The Courier Customer Services
• DC Thomson
• 2 Albert Square
• Dundee
• DD1 9QJ

Double-check this address before posting. Addressing your letter to "The Courier" without specifying Customer Services may result in it reaching the editorial department, which cannot process subscription changes. Similarly, sending it to DC Thomson's other offices in different cities will delay your cancellation.

Using Recorded Delivery for proof

Always send cancellation letters via Royal Mail Recorded Delivery. This service costs a few pounds but provides invaluable protection. You'll receive a receipt showing when you posted the letter and can track its delivery online. Once delivered, you'll see confirmation of the date and time it reached The Courier's offices.

Keep your Recorded Delivery receipt permanently. If The Courier continues taking payments after your cancellation should have taken effect, this receipt proves when you submitted your request. Banks and credit card companies require this evidence when processing disputed charges.

Most importantly, Recorded Delivery forces someone at The Courier to sign for your letter, creating accountability. Standard post can be claimed as "never received," but Recorded Delivery provides proof that a specific person at the company received your letter on a specific date.

How Postclic simplifies the process

Whilst you can certainly handle postal cancellation yourself, services like Postclic streamline the process considerably. Postclic allows you to create, send, and track cancellation letters entirely online, eliminating trips to the post office and ensuring your letter includes all necessary information formatted professionally.

The service provides automatic tracking, so you'll receive notifications when your letter is delivered without needing to check Royal Mail's tracking system manually. Additionally, Postclic stores digital proof of your cancellation indefinitely, ensuring you can access evidence years later if needed for financial disputes or records.

For people with mobility limitations, busy schedules, or those who simply want assurance their cancellation is handled correctly, Postclic offers peace of mind. The service costs less than most people spend on a single newspaper, making it cost-effective insurance against cancellation problems that could result in months of unwanted charges.

Timeline expectations

After posting your cancellation letter, expect the following timeline. Your letter typically arrives within one to three business days via Recorded Delivery. The Courier's customer service team should process your request within five to ten business days of receiving it, though this may extend during busy periods.

You should receive written confirmation of your cancellation within two weeks of posting your letter. This confirmation should specify your final delivery date and when your last payment will be taken. If you haven't received confirmation within three weeks, send a follow-up letter, again via Recorded Delivery, referencing your original letter's date and Recorded Delivery tracking number.

Tips from former members

Common reasons people cancel

Understanding why others cancel helps you recognise whether your situation is temporary or permanent, potentially saving money if you discover alternatives to full cancellation. Many subscribers cancel due to financial pressures, particularly when promotional rates expire and prices increase significantly. The jump from a £10 introductory offer to £30 standard pricing catches many people off guard.

Next, lifestyle changes frequently prompt cancellations. People moving house, especially those relocating outside The Courier's delivery area, must cancel print subscriptions. Retirement often changes reading habits, with some people finding they no longer need daily news delivery when their routine changes. Health issues, particularly vision problems, make reading print newspapers difficult, though digital subscriptions with adjustable text sizes sometimes solve this.

Additionally, many people cancel because they're simply not reading the newspaper. Busy schedules mean papers pile up unread, making the subscription feel wasteful. Others find they get sufficient news from free sources online and cannot justify the expense of a paid subscription.

Before you cancel completely

First, consider whether reducing your subscription instead of cancelling entirely might suit your needs better. If you're cancelling because you don't read the paper every day, switching from a seven-day subscription to weekend-only delivery significantly reduces costs whilst maintaining your connection to local news.

Next, check whether you can suspend your subscription temporarily rather than cancelling permanently. If you're going on holiday, caring for a relative, or facing a temporary financial difficulty, a subscription pause might be more appropriate. The Courier typically allows suspensions for holidays and other temporary circumstances, resuming delivery when you're ready without requiring you to resubscribe.

Keep in mind that resubscribing later often means losing any preferential rates you currently enjoy. Long-term subscribers sometimes receive loyalty discounts or grandfathered pricing that won't be available if you cancel and later decide to restart your subscription. Weigh these factors before proceeding with cancellation.

Stopping payments if cancellation fails

Most importantly, if The Courier continues taking payments after your cancellation should have taken effect, act immediately. Contact your bank or card provider to dispute the charges, providing your Recorded Delivery receipt as evidence that you cancelled on a specific date.

Under UK payment regulations, you can instruct your bank to cancel a continuous payment authority, which stops the company taking further payments from your account. However, this doesn't eliminate any legitimate debt you owe for the notice period, so only use this option if you're certain your cancellation should have taken effect.

Additionally, document every interaction with The Courier about your cancellation. Keep copies of all letters, note dates and times of any phone calls including who you spoke with, and save all emails. This documentation becomes essential if you need to escalate complaints to IPSO (Independent Press Standards Organisation) or pursue small claims court action for refunds.

What to expect on your final days

Your newspaper delivery should stop on the date specified in your cancellation confirmation. However, you may receive one or two additional newspapers after this date due to delivery logistics. Delivery drivers receive updated route information on specific days, and papers already in the distribution system may still be delivered.

Don't assume these extra deliveries mean your cancellation failed. Wait a week after your official end date before raising concerns. If deliveries continue beyond this point, contact customer services with your cancellation confirmation, as this indicates your cancellation wasn't properly processed.

Your final payment should be taken on the date specified in your confirmation letter. Check your bank statement carefully to ensure no additional charges appear after this date. If unexpected charges occur, you have up to 120 days under chargeback rules to dispute them with your card provider, though acting quickly improves your chances of successful resolution.

Protecting yourself from future issues

After cancelling, monitor your bank account for at least three months to catch any erroneous charges quickly. Companies sometimes have delayed billing systems that continue taking payments even after cancellation is processed correctly. Early detection makes disputes far simpler to resolve.

Keep all cancellation documentation for at least two years. Financial disputes can arise long after you think everything is settled, and having immediate access to proof of cancellation saves enormous hassle. Store your Recorded Delivery receipt, cancellation confirmation letter, and any related correspondence in a safe place, both physical copies and digital scans.

Finally, if you provided payment via continuous payment authority rather than Direct Debit, consider whether to remove The Courier's access to your card entirely. Continuous payment authorities can be reactivated more easily than Direct Debits, and removing access provides absolute assurance that no further charges can occur. Contact your card provider to cancel the continuous payment authority completely once your final legitimate payment has been taken.