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August 15, 2011

Trinity suspends six free weekly titles in Scotland

By Andrew Pugh

Trinity Mirror-owned Scottish & Universal Newspapers has suspended publication of its six-strong free weekly division.

The company said the move could result in the potential loss of three clerical roles and two distribution jobs but said no editorial staff faced redundancy. The company has entered into a period of consultation with all affected staff.

Publication of the Lanarkshire World, Perth Shopper, Stirling Shopper, Renfrewshire World, Clyde Weekly News and Dumfries and Galloway Today will be suspended from the week ending 9 September.

The news comes after last week’s announcement that operating profit at Trinity Mirror’s regional newspaper group was down 36.3 per cent to £18.4m on revenue down 1.8 per cent to £149.1m in the first half of the year. The group said it plans to increase its cost-savings target from £15m to £25m for 2011.

Earlier this month the company also confirmed that 85 journalists have lost their jobs at its Scottish Daily Record and the Sunday Mail titles following an editorial restructure launched earlier this year.

Scottish & Universal Newspapers (SUN) managing director Bill Steven said: ‘We’ve taken this decision to suspend these titles as a result of the challenging economic environment and we will review the feasibility of reintroducing them should trading conditions improve in the future.

‘Where possible we hope to achieve any redundancies by voluntary means and will also be exploring opportunities for alternative employment for those affected.”

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SUN also publishes daily title the Paisley Daily Express and weekly titles the Dumfries & Galloway Standard and the Stirling Observer.

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