Seven jobs could go following collapse of Scottish newspaper publisher

Seven journalists could lose their jobs after a weekly newspaper group in Scotland collapsed.

Forth Independent Newspapers, based in Alloa, published seven local weekly titles across the Central Lowlands and went into liquidation on Friday, according to a report in the Scotsman.

The company reportedly had a circulation increase across some of its papers last year and the Scotsman reported that a buyer could come forward to take over some of the group’s publications.

The collapse is being blamed on a fall in advertising income and suggestions the company overstretched itself when it bought the East Kilbride Mail from Scottish footballer Ally McCoist and his business partners in 2007.

Martin Little, the editor at one of the publisher’s titles Wee County News, told the Scotsman

Putting aside the personal disappointment, my thoughts are with the thousands of people who looked forward to receiving each of our titles every week. Communities have been at the heart of everything we have done.”

Forth’s other titles include; Allanwater News, the Strathallan News, Alloa Eastside News, Eastwood Today and Avondale Mail. A former chairman of Regional Intependent Media, Ernest Petrie, was one of Forth investors.

Topics in this article : Regional Newspapers