Regional publisher Northcliffe Media has entered into negotiations to acquire independent weekly newspaper the Nottingham and Long Eaton Topper.
The Topper, based in West Bridgford, is the only free weekly title distributed in the city since Northcliffe closed the Nottingham Recorder in June as part of a wider review of the portfolio across the company. The Topper has a circulation of 212, 787.
In a statement today the company said The Nottingham Post Media Group, part of Northcliffe, wished to acquire the title but a number of commercial and legal matters had to be resolved first. A company spokesperson said these were being worked through with the owners and the management of the newspaper. If they are agreed on the company hopes to close the deal later this year.
Steve Auckland, Group Managing Director of Northcliffe Media said: “We believe the Topper would make an excellent addition to the Nottingham Post business and provide an excellent portfolio with the Post for advertisers seeking to attract consumers in Nottingham.”
The Topper was established 14 years ago. On its website it states ‘The Topper has thrived by sticking to his ideals. And we believe those values will continue to hold us in good stead for many years to come — to the benefit of our readers and advertisers.’
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With the amount of redundancies and cut backs at Northdrift, it seems like a kick in the teeth to those struggling on daily papers in their portfolio, short of investment, dwindling staff numbers, etc. Shouldn’t this kind of money be invested ion what COULD be their bread and butter? Seems a VERY odd decision in this climate
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I’m afraid that nothing is now “odd” at Northcliffe and anyway they will probably close the Topper offices down and move what ever staff are left into the Notts Post building too!
But I do agree it is another move where potentially more individuals ( yes we are all that – allegedly) will be made redundant on top of the ever growing ex employees list.
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Nothing could ever be a surprise and I doubt very much there will be any Topper staff residing in the Notts Post building – they will all go …..
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Yup, think you’re right. Will just be another publication with no future, designed to make money a.s.a.p and then dropped like a stone when it doesn’t. If this IS a bad decision, it will be staff the minions that suffer whilst the Nortdrift bosses continue to collect their big salleries and reduce headcount. Staff at the Topper, all the best for the future. A shame you’ve been dragged into this Daily Mail inspired mess.
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To be balanced about this they do have some very strong “senior managers” but they are never really given a voice at all. As the few at the top ALWAYS seem to know “BEST”!!!!!!!
Nothing has changed for the better I’m afraid.
It’s just “tail chasing” so that they can stay in a job.
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i think on a business level, it’s a good idea, because the topper has been for a long time attracting more advertisers meaning money…
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I predicted this would happen!!
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