The world’s oldest continuously published newspaper is set to lose its editor in a restructure at a West Midlands publisher.
Berrow’s Worcester Journal has survived 53 different prime ministers, two world wars and the advent of the internet since being founded in 1690.
However now it is set to lose its own dedicated editor as part of a move to a centralised editorial structure at publisher Newsquest Midlands South.
The current editor, John Wilson, is one of three existing editors in the division who will have to compete for two senior editorial roles in the new set-up.
The plans unveiled by Worcester News editor Peter John yesterday will see the centralisation of the editorial operation of all titles in the division and are expected to lead to seven job losses overall.
As well as the News and the Journal, these also include the Evesham Journal series, Malvern Gazette, and Ledbury Reporter, all currently edited by John Murphy.
The three editors’ roles will be replaced by one group editor and one deputy group editor covering all the titles.
Meanwhile the current four news editors and deputy news editors would be replaced by one head of content and two news editors.
Other proposed changes will see the present six-strong photographic team reduced to four and all sports subbing across the region centralised at the existing Worcester subbing hub.
This move, which would also affect the company’s Stourbridge and Hereford titles, will mean a net loss of three full-time and one part-time posts.
Peter said in a statement: “Because of current market conditions Newsquest Midlands South region is taking action to protect the overall business for the future.
“Staff are being consulted on a proposal to create an integrated editorial structure for all the Worcester division titles.
“It is envisaged that, if adopted, these proposals would see a total net loss of seven editorial jobs across the Midlands South region.
“The company will try to avoid unnecessary redundancy situations wherever possible and will be asking for volunteers and looking at natural wastage through non-filling of vacancies. No-one will be asked to leave the business before the end of the year.”
A formal 30-day consultation process on the proposals has now begun.
The proposed changes come in the wake of a similar restructure at Newsquest’s East Wales division which will see the loss of four editorial jobs along with the closure of two district offices.
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As if Worcs South isn’t cut to the bone enough already. Thanks for the morale boost, Newsquest .
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Britain’s oldest newspaper, and this is what it comes down to. Shame on you, Newsquest. Meanwhile, I shall be watching my local newspapers very closely from now on for signs of local lack-of-knowledge howlers…
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Never mind yet another Newsquest paper losing its head and no doubt direction … more importantly has the company got its Olympic passes yet?!
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The Lincolnshire Echo (now due to go weekly) moved their subbing to Hull. I have never seen so many mistakes. When people know I work there, they happily point out terrible errors.
One recent error ‘people’s rading habitats have changed’. I can see readiers sitting up trees and in wheelbarrows!
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And with the newsdesk and editorial management structure changes announced at Worcester, the daily Worcester News could so much more easily be turned into a weekly at any point in the future, by simply reducing the remaining reporter, sub and photographer headcount.
And bear in mind this is the same Newsquest which, the NUJ claims on pressgazette.co.uk today, has achieved a 15 per cent profit hike to £82.5m after last year freezing pay, slashing 800 UK jobs and closing its pension scheme. Not £8.25m, £82.5m. Eight-two-point-five-MILLION. What a marvellous company.
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Disgusted to hear this although it comes as no surprise as it was floated publicly a couple of months ago that the Evesham Journal, which was my first paper, was likely to move to Worcester.
The Journal, in the days of the late Bill Clarke, had four editions covering Moreton-in-Marsh, Tewkesbury, Stratford and Chipping Norton. It was packed with hard news and was particularly good for council and court stories.
Let’s hope someone with a lot more vision moves in to pick up the slack. In the meantime, very sorry for my ex-colleagues, many of whom I know have worked on the Worcester News for decades. I guess the next step is to turn the daily paper into a weekly with further job cuts.
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