A new Abu Dhabi weekly is set to be launched next week in the UAE capital. Billed as a ‘Time Out lite’, the magazine is going to be free, distributed widely (estimated at 75,000 for a starting circulation) and aims to replicate the success of the likes of Metro in the UK.

Will it work? Hard to say. The editor has a good track record, but the team is small and initial designs do not look that promising – and, as always in the UAE, there is a commercial team ensuring editorial remains as bland as possible.

It would be good for everyone if it does succeed, but at the moment its a case of wait and see.