The UK’s second biggest regional publisher Newsquest has bought Archant, the fourth largest in the market, for an undisclosed fee. Archant was previously acquired by private equity firm Rcapital in September 2020.

Archant owns more than 100 magazine and news brands around the UK, principally in East Anglia. Press Gazette understands the Competition and Markets Authority is not currently looking into the merger.

Newsquest currently publishes 205 titles, including the Northern Echo, Brighton Argus and Scottish outlet The National, and is ultimately owned by US media giant Gannett.