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Johnston Press pushes ahead with printing plant closure

A printing unit run by Johnston Press to produce 40 of its titles will close later this month, it has been confirmed.

Last month it was revealed that 70 printing jobs could be under threat after JP announced plans to close its Northampton Web print operation, at the company’s Upper Mounts site.

Five van drivers’ jobs and one editorial post are also at risk as a result of the changes.

Printing of the Kettering-based Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph and the Northampton Chronicle and Echo will now be done overnight in Peterborough as part of the shake-up.

Journalists have undergo consultations with management about the changes which will mean new shift patterns for most reporters and subs.

No official statement has been made by the company about the next step in the process, but a spokeswoman from Johnston Press’ Edinburgh head office confirmed that the printing press would be closing on September 14.

The presses in Upper Mounts are used by 38 other Johnston Press titles as well as the two evening papers, printing more than one million copies a week.

Printing moved there in May 1978 from the Chronicle and Echo’s old offices in the town’s Market Square.

Around £20m was spent upgrading the plant between 2000 and 2002.