AddThis SmartLayers

Green light for £284m Southnews sale

Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers has agreed to the transfer of Southnews titles to Trinity Mirror.

The minister is satisfied the paid-for circulation of the titles falls within the statutory limit.

Weekly newspaper group Southnews is being sold for £284m in an unconditional deal.

Southnews, which began in 1986 in a management buy-out from Westminster Press, comprises 25 paid-for and 58 free titles.

The principal Southnews paid-for titles, which have a combined circulation of 300,000, include Croydon Advertiser, Harrow Observer, Uxbridge Gazette, Ealing Gazette, Surrey Herald, Medway News, East Kent Gazette, Folkestone Herald and Canterbury Times.

Trinity wants the titles to “help balance its portfolio of regional newspapers across different regional economies”.

The duration of Mr Byers’ consent is limited to one year to allow for market changes.

Do you have a story for us?
Ring the HoldTheFrontPage newsdesk on
01332 291111 x6022, or to e-mail us now – click here