For the first time in six years, the cover price of The Royal Gazette will increase tomorrow.

The increase, from 75 cents to 80 cents, is being effected to counter rising costs, especially in the price of newsprint and electricity, said Royal Gazette Ltd. general manager Keith Jensen. The price of The Royal Gazette's sister newspaper, the Mid-Ocean News, will also be increased to 80 cents as of tomorrow. The price increase will not affect existing subscribers to the newspaper.

"We have worked very hard to maintain the price of The Royal Gazette at 75 cents for many years now, but the reality is that all other costs have increased in the last six years," said Editor Bill Zuill. "In order to continue to produce the high quality daily newspaper that Bermuda deserves, we have to meet the price increases that affect us, just like any other business or individual.

"But I believe that the newspaper remains one of the best bargains for its price around. The vast amount of information we produce through words and pictures on local and foreign news, sports, business, lifestyle issues and so on on a daily basis for only 80 cents is remarkable when you think of how few other products are available for less than a dollar a day.

"We hope this price increase will enable us to continue to hire and retain high quality staff who produce and constantly improve a newspaper that is timely, fair and accurate and provides information that is relevant to our readers and reflects the diverse and cosmopolitan community in which we live."