Archant has acquired Devon Life magazine from husband and wife team Keith and Judith Tomline.
The 300-page title has a circulation of 15,000 and claims to be one of Britain’s best-selling county magazines.
The acquisition also includes the spin-off titles Devon Homes & Gardens and Devon Brides which will be integrated into Archant’s south-west division led by regional director Paul Bates.
The 19 staff will remain at their current offices in Totnes but will be managed from Archant’s regional office in Cheltenham.
Devon Life launched in 1963. Editor-in-chief Judith and her husband Keith, who is publisher, have owned the title since 1996 and are due to remain with the business until the end of the year to help oversee the transition.
Archant Life managing director Jonathan Hustler said: “This is a very significant step forward towards our ambition to have county magazines in all the best counties.
“Archant set out just two-and-a-half years ago on a mission to consolidate the county magazine genre after launching a new title in Norfolk.
“Since then we have assembled a stunning portfolio comprising the country’s best titles in the north, south, east and west of England.”
He added: “Devon is the third largest county in England and enjoys a tremendous reputation as both a holiday destination and a wonderful place to live. It is an excellent marketplace in which we can further develop an already strong brand.”
Keith Tomline said: “We were delighted to sell Devon Life and its sister titles to Archant Life and I’m sure they will have a very bright future in Archant’s already impressive stable of county magazines.”
Archant publishes 16 magazines in counties ranging from Cambridge-shire to Cheshire, Essex and Kent, selling 150,000 copies between them each month.
The company also publishes four regional daily newspapers, contract and consumer magazines including at least 50 weekly titles.
By Ruth Addicott
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