Cumbrian titles to switch from on-the-day to overnight printing – putting 29 non-editorial jobs at risk

Cumbrian newspapers the Carlisle News and Star and the North West Evening Mail have announced plans to switch from on-the-day to overnight printing.

The proposal could lead to 29 van driver redundancies, and other staff will be consulted in the coming weeks “about changes in work patterns required”.

CN Group chief executive Robin Burgess said the proposal “was put forward with a degree of sadness”, but claimed the proposal would mean a greater “shelf life” for the titles.

He said: “Both these changes should help us maintain copy sales of the News & Star and North West Evening Mail in difficult times.

“The print time would also allow us to outsource distribution, using the same distribution network as the national papers and save a considerable amount from our costs.”

Burgess added: “These are positive moves to help secure the role all our titles play in their local areas, but it is sad because if we do go ahead we will be losing our drivers, many of whom have worked with us for many years.”