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Business chief joins attack over Scottish cutbacks

Regional publisher Johnston Press is coming under fire from both sides of industry over its plans to axe a weekly title in Scotland.

As reported on HoldtheFrontPage last week, the company is facing group-wide action from the National Union of Journalists over its proposed cutbacks across a series of regional centres.

But the company has also come under attack from business leaders in Scotland over its plans to close the award-winning Ayrshire Extra weekly title

Murdoch MacDonald, managing director of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle, has written to JP chief executive Tim Bowdler expressing “dismay” over the plans.

“The Ayrshire Extra is a popular and well-respected newspaper which has been recognised for its work on behalf of the local community,” he wrote.

“We realise that advertising revenues have fallen, but we fail to see why the Ayrshire Extra and one other title should be singled out for closure.”

A JP spokesperson confirmed that the letter had been received and that Mr Bowdler would respond in due course.