THE curb in retail spending has claimed another victim in the Southern Highlands.

Independent monthly news magazine Your Times took everyone by surprise, including editor Deb Richards, when director Brian Alfonso announced this week it would finish.

Ms Richards said it was a great shame to be losing a truly independent publication.

"It was very sudden. Even 10 days ago we thought it was going strong, but there has been a softening in retail advertising, then a couple of things happened, so Brian made the decision not to continue," Ms Richards said.

"I think he felt that things would get worse before they got better."

Your Times was established in September 2006 as an independent alternative voice to events in the Southern Highlands and had built a loyal readership in the past five years.

It printed 15,000 copies each month and was distributed as far away as Canberra and Bateman's Bay.

"It was widely read and liked and was an example of how independent media is crucial to a community," Ms Richards said.

"It was an investment in the community and the community responded well, despite some initial teething problems.

"It certainly put a balance in the power structure in the area and stimulated a lot of conversation.

"Because it was a monthly publication, the articles could be analytical and well-researched and it treated its readership as intelligent and engaged citizens."

Ms Richards has had a long and distinguished career in the media with 20 years at the ABC and was co-winner of the Gold Walkley - Australia's most prestigious journalist prize.

"There seems to be a great need for independent media in all communities because I feel advertising-based publications can become hamstrung by its advertisers," she said.

She said while Your Times was finished for now, she would not rule out a "reincarnation of some kind" in the future.