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April 25, 2016

A further 14 jobs to go as Trinity Mirror closes Local World websites and merges production on Bristol dailies

By Dominic Ponsford

A further 14 editorial jobs are to go at titles in the Local World regional newspaper group which was bought by Trinity Mirror last November.

A number of websites across Bristol, Gloucester, Somerset and Dorset are to be merged into two new websites: Somerset Live and Gloucestershire Live.

Trinity said this is "in line with Trinity Mirror’s approach of regional hubs with localised news and information sections".

In another change the Bristol Post and Western Daily Press daily titles are to merger their subbing operations.

Some new digital roles are to be created but there will be a net reduction of 14 jobs.

A Trinity Mirror spokesperson said: “Somerset Live and Gloucestershire Live will focus on rolling local news, weather, traffic, what’s on and lifestyle and much more.

“We will be providing the same hyperlocal news, and more, on a bigger, better and more accessible digital platform, as we aim to grow a local and engaged audience.

“This template has worked well at Trinity Mirror titles across other areas of the UK, where local readers are increasingly coming to our platforms first for their news and showing loyalty to our strong brands.”

The websites merging into Somerset Live and Gloucestershire Live are as follows:

  • centralsomersetgazette.co.uk
  • cheddarvalleygazette.co.uk
  • fromstandard.co.uk
  • gloucestercitizen.co.uk,
  • gloucestershireecho.co.uk
  • somersetguardian.co.uk
  • stroudlife.co.uk
  • wellsjournal.co.uk
  • westerngazette.co.uk
  • northsomersetmercury.co.uk
  • sheptonmalletjournal.co.uk.

In recent weeks three senior Local World daily newspaper editors have left their jobs.

The merger of the Exeter Express and Echo and Tiverton-based Mid Devon Gazette news teams will result in a further eight editorial jobs going.

Trinity Mirror is by far the UK's largest regional newspaper publisher, following the Local World purchase.

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