Up to 20 jobs are set to go at two sister daily newspapers in what an editor has termed a “difficult and sad” restructure.

As previously reported, the Guernsey Press & Star and Jersey Evening Post entered a consultation with staff over plans to “streamline areas of the business” earlier this month.

No figures were given at the time of the announcement, but JEP editor Andy Sibcy, left, has now confirmed a maximum of 20 people will be leaving the business across the two islands.

Nine of the 20 will be made compulsorily redundant, while 11 other roles will be cut through a combination of early retirement, voluntary redundancy or by not replacing staff when they leave.

Andy took the unusual step of revealing the figures in an editorial published in yesterday’s edition of the JEP.

He said it was aimed at “setting the record straight” after rumours that 40 employees were leaving, which he blamed on “inaccurate journalism” by colleagues in rival news organisations.

Wrote Andy: “While there are exciting times ahead, the process of change can be painful and the JEP will be saying goodbye to a small number of our colleagues. Some of these people have been part of the JEP family for many years and their departure will be difficult and sad.”

“Across both islands (at the JEP and our sister newspaper the Guernsey Press), it is anticipated that up to a maximum of 20 people will be leaving the business, a number which equates to less than ten per cent of the workforce.

“That number is comprised of nine compulsory redundancies across the two islands as a result of work being redistributed within the newspaper group to our parent company in the UK.

“The loss of any other posts will be as a result of non-replacement, early retirement or voluntary redundancy. The acquisitions will bring new staff and new talent under the Guiton umbrella.”

Andy went on to say the company would be investing in new ventures to provide what he called “an even greater range of products and services.”

“I am happy to reassure you that the newspaper continues to thrive and will remain at the heart of island life for a great many years to come. We will continue to champion your concerns and to hold power to account as we do week in, week out, breaking exclusives which this year have included agenda-setting exposés about civil servants flight costs, child sexual exploitation and private jet flights,” he said.

“It is no secret that newspapers are facing many challenges as they adapt to the world of the smartphone and the iPad. There are very few businesses which have not been affected by the digital revolution and newspapers have felt the wind of change more keenly than many.

“Like all forward-thinking businesses, the JEP is adapting to the new reality and channelling investment and resources into areas of the business where there is fresh opportunity while also sustaining the core product, the newspaper, in print and online.”

Almost 200 people are currently employed on the two islands by the newspapers’ parent company Guiton Publishing, part of the group which also owns the Wolverhampton Express & Star and Shropshire Star.