Two weekly newspaper editors at Carlisle-based regional publisher CN Group are leaving their roles, as part of its plans to make annual editorial savings of £600,000.
Steve Johnston, who edits the Workington-based Times & Star, and Colin Edgar, the editor of the Whitehaven News, are leaving their roles this month.
Johnston has taken voluntary redundancy after 13 years as editor while Edgar is to take up a role in CN Group’s new production hub.
The departure of the two editors has been prompted by plans for the Whitehaven News and Times & Star to be run by just one editorial team to save money.
Deanne Shallcross, currently deputy editor at the Times & Star, is taking on the enlarged editor’s role of West Cumbria editor.
In her new role, Shallcross will have direct editorial responsibly for the Times & Star and Whitehaven News, as well as responsibility for the west edition of Carlisle’s News & Star, which will continue to be edited by group editorial director David Helliwell.
Shallcross has been with CN Group for eight years and is to take up the role on 18 April.
In February this year, CN Group announced plans to cut its annual editorial costs by £600,000, with editors, production journalists and photographers at risk.
To date, 20 jobs have gone at the CN Group as part of the restructure.
Shallcross said: “I am thrilled and honoured to be taking on the role of CN Group’s West Cumbria editor.
“Our titles are truly at the heart of the communities we service and I am committed to continuing the strong focus on quality journalism in a multi-platform age.”
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