Seven sub-editing and five photographic jobs are under threat after Johnston Press announced plans to centralise some of its operations in Lancashire.

The move would see the creation of two central subbing units in Preston and Blackpool.

The Preston centre, home of the Lancashire Evening Post, would be responsible for editorial production of all titles from Preston, Wigan, Chorley, Garstang, Burnley, Nelson and Clitheroe.

The Blackpool unit, home of the Gazette and Herald, would be responsible for editorial production of all titles from Blackpool, Lytham, Fleetwood, Lancaster and Morecambe.

It is also proposed to centralise the picture desk which would operate from Preston.

Affected titles include the Guardian Series based around Lancaster, Wigan Observer and Reporter and Burnley Express but the company’s Isle of Man newspapers and Off Road Titles, based in Morecambe, are not included in these proposals.

The announcement mirrors similar proposals for Johnston Press’ titles in the Midlands and Anglia and Northern Ireland divisions.

A company statement said: “Following a detailed review of the editorial departments across the North West Division it is proposed to create two centralised sub-editing units in Preston and Blackpool.

“As a result of this proposal there will be a reduction of 19 sub-editing roles in these centres, an increase of nine roles in Preston and an increase of three roles in Blackpool.

“In addition, the company also proposes to create a centralised picture desk in Preston.

“This unit would be responsible for managing a single diary to serve the needs of all titles within the North West.

“As a result of this proposal there will be a net reduction of three photographic management roles across the division and a net reduction of two photographer roles in Morecambe.

“We will now enter a consultative period with the aim of reaching agreement on the proposal and examining ways of mitigating the effects on staff.”

Comments

Mr_Osato (02/02/2009 12:19:57)
Predictably Johnston is taking advantage of the free ride it is now getting in Lancaster, Blackpool and Preston after Newsquest got rid of the Citizen titles (without seeking a buyer). Actually surprised that they’ve not gone a bit further than this…

Chris Youett, AMCMI, AMIMIS, AMBCS (02/02/2009 15:01:42)
The attempts set up central subbing pools without properly testing a pilot scheme is on a par with British Railway’s mass hysteria to get rid of steam engines 40 years to early. We are still paying for that decision today.
Central subbing pools have never worked – management should be aiming to further rationaise spare print capacity.

Major Eyeswater (02/02/2009 20:43:44)
And so it continues. How on earth can seven fewer subs do the work?
I pressume when it comes to photographers they will just use bigger pictures or encourage readers – a rapidly dwindling species – to submit more of their own. And boy, haven’t we seen countless examples of what readers think is a decent photo?
Any “slack in the system” was taken up a long time ago.
I’m all for progress, but it has to be realistic and so many of these proposals just will not work.
Talk to the people that do the work – or better still spend some time with them and experience just what they have to do.
I’d love to meet the mastermind that comes up with these ideas to “reduce headcount”. I’m sure the money he or she is paid would go some way to making the savings required.

Dave Ross (03/02/2009 06:22:07)
The announcement also mirrors JP proposals for Sussex and Hampshire. Don’t forget us down here! Where will all this madness end?

Regionalhack (03/02/2009 20:09:34)
I wonder what Freddie Johnston thinks about the dismantling of the the newspaper group that bears his family name?
This is JP’s new management picking the business to pieces, in an industry that has become all about management itself and cost cutting with little regard to their actual, final product.

Ess Jayar (05/02/2009 13:39:44)
A pity JP, which supposedly prides itself on providing local newspapers at the heart of the local communities it ‘serves’ doesn’t put its readers and advertisers ahead of its shareholders and end this centralisation madness.
Local subs, reporters photographers and ad teams do local papers better than anyone else because they take a genuine pride in the products they represent. I now fear for the quality, reputation and even existence of many of our most familiar and well-lrespected regional papers.