More than 40 jobs are under threat as Northcliffe Newspapers considers closing its printing press in Hull.

Consultation has begun with 47 production staff after Mail Publications, which publishes the Hull and East Riding Mail, said closure was being considered because it was not feasible to modernise the press to meet the future needs of the business.

The Hull and East Riding Mail and the weekly Advertiser series are currently printed on the 18-year-old press at Hull, and would be moved to another of Northcliffe’s presses if the proposed closure goes ahead.

The group also has printworks in Grimsby, Derby, Leicester, Bristol, Stoke, Staverton and Plymouth.

A company statement said that the Hull press had limited colour availability, facilities and flexibility because of its age and design, and its future had been under examination for several months after it was announced that plans for a new £57m print works at Elsham Wold, near Brigg in North Lincolnshire would not go ahead.

The proposed plant had been intended to print the Hull titles as well as the Grimsby Telegraph, Scunthorpe Telegraph and the Lincolnshire Echo, as well as editions of the national Daily Mail and the Mail On Sunday, with the Hull press originally earmarked for closure in 2007 along with Grimsby and Lincoln.

The Lincoln press closed in February.

Adam Woodruff, general manager for The Northcliffe Press Hull, said: “All of the staff affected will be given the fullest advice and support, both through the representatives they will elect as part of the consultation process and on a one-to-one basis.”

Mail Publications managing director Phil Inman added: “The announcement is not a reflection upon the performance of the business or our prospects going forward.”

The proposal does not affect any staff in other departments at Mail Publications. Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or e-mail [email protected]