Eight posts are to go at publishing company Archant.

Archant Suffolk, the part of the company affected, says progress with content – and new technology – means that fewer people are needed to produce its titles.

The company, which publishes the East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star, has begun a period of consultation with the staff directly affected.

Archant Suffolk employs 337 people – 146 of those in editorial departments. The proposed redundancies will be spread between photographic, specialist writers and production.

It plans to have all the changes completed by the end of this year, and although eight positions will become redundant, it is hoped the final number of people affected may be less because of redeployment.

Peter Swallow, managing director at Archant Suffolk, said: “It has become increasingly evident that with new digital technology, an increased focus of the two daily titles on their different audiences, and a review of content, fewer people are needed to publish the newspapers.

“This review will not affect the quality of our titles, and we expect to see future developments.

“It is never a good time to announce redundancies, and it will be an unsettling time for everyone, however our focus will be on those most affected. In addition to the internal support, we have engaged the help of an independent career consultant to work with those people who regrettably lose their jobs.”

He said that in recent years, Archant Suffolk had been successful at improving profits in a changing and increasingly competitive market place, had launched new magazines and services, and continued to invest to support its long-term future.

By increasing those profits the firm could invest in the two daily newspapers, “the life blood of the business”, and innovate in new areas to remain relevant to readers and advertisers.

He said: “Over the past two years, as new processes have been introduced, we have been able to offer new jobs and careers to our staff, from magazine design to editorship of new magazines and weekly newspapers.

“However, it has become increasingly difficult during the last 12 months to do this, although we are hopeful that some people will retrain and do other jobs within the business.”

Archant Suffolk publishes the East Anglian Daily Times, Ipswich Evening Star, Sudbury Mercury, Bury Mercury, EADT Suffolk Magazine, EADT Suffolk Business Magazine, Let’s Talk!, several quarterly and annual magazines and two websites.

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