Regional newspaper publisher Archant has bought six local lifestyle magazines from Highbury House for £6.1m.
The magazines – Southwest, The Hill, The Guide,
Living South, The Green and Northwest – are distributed free to 400,000
upmarket homes in North, West and South London.
Living South, The Green and Northwest – are distributed free to 400,000
upmarket homes in North, West and South London.
The titles will now join the Archant Life group
of county and town-based magazines under MD Johnny Hustler.
The deal also includes three editions of the free advertising title
Property Mart distributed in West Essex, South Essex and East London,
which will join the Archant London stable.
of county and town-based magazines under MD Johnny Hustler.
The deal also includes three editions of the free advertising title
Property Mart distributed in West Essex, South Essex and East London,
which will join the Archant London stable.
The rest of Highbury House is currently undergoing a sale to Future Publishing following the announcement of a £96.5m deal.
A spokesman said it was expected that the titles’
76 staff would keep their jobs, but it was not known if they would have
to move offices.
He added: “The deal underlines Archant’s commitment to growing its
local community publishing business and to layering local magazines
with newspapers and websites in given areas.”
76 staff would keep their jobs, but it was not known if they would have
to move offices.
He added: “The deal underlines Archant’s commitment to growing its
local community publishing business and to layering local magazines
with newspapers and websites in given areas.”
John Fry, Archant chief executive, said: “This
acquisition fits our growth strategy perfectly, coming directly after
our recent purchase of Romsey Publishing.
acquisition fits our growth strategy perfectly, coming directly after
our recent purchase of Romsey Publishing.
“We have a clear local community publishing ethos
and we will continue to seek purchases, launches and organic growth
that add good quality community publications to our fast-growing
portfolio.
and we will continue to seek purchases, launches and organic growth
that add good quality community publications to our fast-growing
portfolio.
“We aim to widen our footprint in the UK and
deepen its tread by layering magazines, newspaper and local websites in
our chosen areas.”
deepen its tread by layering magazines, newspaper and local websites in
our chosen areas.”
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog