Johnston Press has closed eleven of its smaller free print titles. This will allow the Group to focus resource on its digital offering in those and adjoining markets where the growth potential of digital is stronger, says the company.
Eight free print titles in the Midlands have been closed, and three free print titles in the North Western and Southern regions have been integrated into paid titles. The company has also renegotiated a number of key contracts, including the outsourcing of its in-house advertising creation team and its advertising production and software development contract. These initiatives are part of the Group’s existing cost reduction programme and will deliver part year benefit in the last quarter of 2015, with full year benefits in 2016, as previously planned, says the company.
The company will provide an update on current trading and further details on its portfolio consolidation and cost reduction programme in November.
As reported by the Press Gazette, the closed newspapers are: the Peterborough Citizen, Norfolk Citizen, Rugby Review, Northampton Mercury, Dronfield Advertiser, Eckington Leader, Peak Courier, Sheffield Gazette, South Elms Gazette, South Bognor View and the Lutterworth Mail.
