Up to eleven editorial jobs are under threat at a regional daily newspaper in the East Midlands as a result of cutbacks.
Advertising revenues at the Leicester Mercury are down 45pc over the past five years with circulation down 30pc.
Now bosses are proposing an editorial restructure which could mean the loss of up to 11 journalists’ roles.
The proposals, which have been slammed as “appalling” by the National Union of Journalists, were announced to staff at the Northcliffe-owned title earlier this week.
Mercury publisher David Simms said in a statement: “Over the last number of months we have reviewed our cost base as revenues, across all categories, have come under increasing pressure.
“Advertising revenue is down 45pc over a 5-year period and circulation volume is down 30pc in the same period.
“We have looked at both the organisation and working practices of the newsroom to see how we can operate more effectively and efficiently.
“Our guiding principle has been to protect the newspapers ability to produce high quality content.
“As a result of this review, subject to consultation, we believe up to 11 roles in editorial are at risk of redundancy.
“The changes are essential to ensure we have a viable and vibrant business moving forward with a cost base to take advantage of the opportunities in the market.”
The proposed changes come at a time when the Mercury is still without a permanent editor since the departure of Keith Perch last October.
Deputy editor Richard Bettsworth has been carrying out the role in an acting capacity for the past four months, but has yet to be confirmed in the position.
Chris Morley, Northern and Midlands organiser of the NUJ said: “This is an appalling attack on journalists and journalism at the Leicester Mercury, by a company that does not care what damage it causes.
“Northcliffe’s newspapers are among the worst performing in the country, not because of the heroic efforts of staff, but because they have suffered the biggest cuts in editorial staffing and resources. The parent group Daily Mail General Trust seems to have washed its hands of its regional newspaper stable.
“Experienced and loyal editors have jumped ship throughout Northcliffe in recent months, including at Leicester. In many cases, I suspect, because they know that the cuts being made will make their newspapers unsustainable and cannot stomach them.
“That leaves journalists at the mercy of the grey suit accountants who know next to nothing about the benefits to a newspaper business of quality journalism.”
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Bloody hell!
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“Our guiding principle has been to protect the newspaper’s ability to produce high quality content”
A pig flies past the window.
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The Mercury has been extremely fortunate to avoid cuts in the past when other titles who don’t blow their trumpets quite so much have had to chop here, there and everywhere. Harsh, I know, as no cuts would be ideal, but true.
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Fred L, love it. Maybe Pink Floyd are recording. Why is it that newspaper bosses, who have largely cut the heart and soul out of quality titles, to the detriment of their sales, advertising and profit, not to mention standing in the local community, still believe that is the right path?
Sorry for those people set to lose their jobs.
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Cut the bull. You can’t do staff cuts and high quality content. good stories need time and staff- neither of which exists on most regional and weekly papers now. Hence churnalism rules.
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Great paper but I don’t buy it as it’s free online.
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Strange that some people think the Mercury hasn’t been hit by cuts.
This is the third significant cull at the Mercury – not counting the people who have left and not been replaced – in the past 5 years.
In 2006, there were 120 editorial staff at the Leicester Mercury.
There are now 54.
Make up your own mind.
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And in response to Fred L, I’d lay a bet that many of those who went in those culls were experienced. It’s not just a question of numbers, with all due respect to those who are left, but experience counts, too.
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