Refinery29 Shuts Down UK Office: What This Means for Journalists and the Future of Lifestyle Media

Refinery29 has shut down its UK operations, along with layoffs across its teams. Known for lifestyle, fashion, wellness, and money content, it also closed its UK branch of Unbothered, a platform focused on Black women’s stories.

While the UK site is gone, Refinery29 still operates in the US, Germany, and France. The Australian edition was discontinued in 2024, but some content continues to be published there.

Kristine Romano, a former art director at Refinery29 UK, shared on LinkedIn: “After 5.5 years, my time here has come to an end! Many of my colleagues and I have been laid off as part of this closure.”

Freelance writer Toluwalogo Niji-Olawepo expressed frustration on social media. “It’s really painful to see Refinery29 UK and Unbothered UK close. The platform helped my growth as a writer,” she wrote. She praised L’Oréal Blackett for elevating Black women’s voices through Unbothered.

Writer Chanté Joseph reflected on the industry’s struggles. She admitted feeling nervous about her future, as many valuable platforms are closing down. “It feels like I built my career on shaky ground,” she said.

Lauren Gordon, another freelancer, noted how Refinery29 was a supportive space for her. “It was where I could safely share my hair story. I’m proud to be part of its history,” she said. She highlighted Unbothered’s important role in UK journalism for Black women. “The loss of Unbothered leaves a significant gap that needs to be addressed,” she added.

A spokesperson for Refinery29’s parent company, Sundial Media & Technology Group, stated: “This is a pivotal moment for us as we embrace our potential as a human connections company. We’re dedicated to a future where technology enhances human creativity.” Refinery29, founded 20 years ago, was sold by Vice Media Group to SMTG in 2024.

Given that the media landscape is rapidly changing, it’s worth noting that 2022 alone saw a 14% drop in U.S. newspaper advertising revenues, highlighting the need for innovative approaches in digital media. This trend puts more pressure on platforms like Refinery29 to adapt and evolve in their strategy.

As the industry shifts, many writers and freelancers are left pondering their career paths. They collectively hope that new spaces will emerge to fill the gaps left by dwindling platforms.

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