Nearly 30 jobs could be lost at a North West publishing company as it looks to close a £6m printing plant built less than six years ago.

The Carlisle-based CN Group says that a total of 28 jobs could go at its site in Barrow-in-Furness, where the North West Evening Mail is currently printed.

No Evening Mail editorial positions, based in Barrow, Ulverston and Millom, are under threat and the title would still come out six nights a week.

Printing will shift to the Carlisle plant instead where the daily News and Star is produced.

Five jobs could also be lost at the company’s subsidiary J Catherall & Co (Printers) Limited, based in Hexham, under proposals to move advertising production to Carlisle while accounting roles could also go, bringing the total of under threat roles to 37.

A shake-up of operations last winter saw around 40 positions go across all departments.

CN Group chief executive said in a statement: “The group’s finances continue to decline as advertisement revenues continue to be affected by the recession.

“These proposed changes are not easy…..we have tried to minimise the risk to the quality of our titles and to ensure their continued strength in the communities they serve.

“I would be very surprised if anyone noticed any changes to the newspaper.”

A consultation process is now under way with staff and is expected to last until July.

Comments

BingoBango (08/05/2009 11:12:00)
Seems Roy Greenslade’s comments in yesteray’s HTFP are true.

Good old Jack Barnwell (11/05/2009 16:31:22)
You’re not wrong bing bong. Ask yourself this question too: how many people under 30 do you see reading a regional newspaper? They just haven’t got an appetite for them. What’s more local papers just ain’t cool..