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November 27, 2003updated 17 May 2007 11:30am

Archant to shed 12 jobs

By Press Gazette

Archant is to cut 12 editorial jobs at its Suffolk division, which publishes the East Anglian Daily Times and the Evening Star. Four jobs will not be replaced and there are expected to be eight compulsory redundancies.

Archant Suffolk managing director Peter Swallow said: “It has become increasingly evident that, with new digital technology, an increased focus of the two daily titles on their different audiences and a review of content, fewer people are needed to publish the newspapers. This review will not affect the quality of our titles and we expect to see future developments.

“By increasing profits we can afford to invest in both our daily newspapers, the life blood of the business, and innovate in new areas to ensure we remain relevant to our readers and advertisers.

“Over the past two years, as new processes have been introduced, we have been able to offer new jobs and careers to our staff, from magazine design to editorship of new magazines and weekly newspapers. However, this has become difficult during the past 12 months, although we are hopeful that some people will retrain and do other jobs within the business.”

The redundancies will be spread between photographic and production staff and specialist writers.

An insider at the company, who asked not to be named, said there was concern that reporters were being asked to carry cameras and there was a feeling that the cuts were being made because of a comparatively small reduction in profit margin.

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The source said: “We were shocked and surprised that they are talking about compulsory redundancies without stopping first to see how else they can find the money.”

An Archant spokesman said the cuts were not a “knee-jerk reaction to profits”.

By Dominic Ponsford

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