The quarterly poetry, fiction and art magazine Ambit, that was launched in 1959, has announced that it is ending publication with its 249th issue. A statement by its chair, Tim Bax, said: “Over the years Ambit has been proud to publish thousands of poets, fiction writers and artists, more recently under the editorship of Briony Bax and Kirsty Allison. Ambit has always been a small enterprise with many volunteers and sparse resources but with an intense commitment to the work.

“Unfortunately, due to some unwelcome financing factors including the loss of our archive sale and the death of a major patron, the time for Ambit to act as an independent charity and publication has come to end.   Our edition 249 Magick will be the final one for Ambit and enormous thanks to go Kirsty Allison, Stephen Barrett and Alex Abery for shepherding this project through.

"We will be in touch with all current subscribers individually regarding their subscriptions, meanwhile limited back copies of Ambit are available on our website for just £5 while stocks last."

In 2013 Briony Bax took over the editorship of Ambit from Martin Bax, and promised that “we are taking Ambit back to where it began, which is to seek out new voices”. But she also referred to continuing funding problems, and looking at new ways to overcome them.

Background: New Ambit editor promises more emerging poets, and new art