Trinity Mirror has announced it has begun the process of integrating the Local World newspaper group within its business after its recent £220m takeover.
The deal, which was completed on 13 November last month, created the UK’s largest regional newspaper publisher, with a print and online presence in most of the country’s biggest population centres.
In a trading update today, the company says the business has traded in line with expectations since the purchase, and revealed that “numerous integration initiatives” had been commenced.
However like-for-like revenues for the final quarter of the year, excluding the LW titles, are expected to be 9pc down on those of last year.
According to the update, while digital revenues are up 12pc, print publishing revenue is expected to fall by 8pc in the final quarter.
Print circulation revenue is down 4pc compared with the final quarter of 2014, while advertising revenue is down 16pc.
Circulation revenue trends are “marginally better” than the third quarter, according to the update, while advertising revenue trends in-line with the third quarter.
The group says it is also on course to deliver its target of £20m cost savings for the year.
Says the update: “We are making good progress against our strategic initiatives and the business continues to deliver strong cash flows and will deliver the targeted structural cost savings of £20 million for the year.
“The group completed the acquisition of Local World Holdings Limited on 13 November 2015 and since that time the business has traded in-line with our expectations. We have commenced numerous integration initiatives, but given the short period over which Local World has been under our ownership, this update focuses on the trading performance for the group excluding Local World.”
Sign up for our free daily email bulletin
Follow HTFP on Twitter
Got a story? Email the Editor at
‘Integration initiatives’. Hmmmmm. Happy Christmas, everyone.
Report this comment
Luftwaffe commences Antwerp integration proposals
Report this comment
Digital revenue up
Print revenue down have you considered that sales people might be moving as money around ?
It happens, especially if they’re nodded pressurise then to hit a target or if there’s a onus on it
Just sayin
And digital revenues down overall and print revenues down overall ; 2016 looks to be an interesting time ( best update those cvs) chaps
Report this comment
I think the bean-counting Daleks are about to be unleashed all over poor old LW in the New Year. Exterminate!
Report this comment
view over the park is bang on its been happening for over 8 years having worked under the TM with Sly Bailey it was happening then nothing changes when people need to achieve targets Out of this business now the Writing’s on the wall for TM instead of in the papers
Report this comment
Minim, it’s Xmas. Of all the contributors to HTFP you need a visit from the ghost of Xmas past, future and present. There’s more to life. Go figure.
Report this comment
Have they integrated the Green Fields plan into the future strategy yet?
Report this comment
Just Saying: I’ve heard Green Fields has become Scorched Earth. Say no more.
Report this comment
i understand the commercial revenues may not have been all they seemed and that somebody’s annual christmas shop has been downgraded from Waitrose to Sainsbury’s… just sayin’
Report this comment
Neontwang: Minim’s life is as multi-faceted as the next 18th century rationalist critic. Is it the Daleks reference that worries you?
Report this comment
Local World was a stupid name anyway. Everyone knows there’s no such thing as a “local” newspaper anymore. Time to get undressed, Tubs.
Report this comment
Disgusted to read the above comment, shopping in Sainsbury’s? Whatever next.
Report this comment
There’s a Sainsbury’s just down the road from us. That’s lucky, then.
Report this comment