A businessman who rescued an independent weekly newspaper from closure earlier this year has expanded his new empire by buying up a second family-owned title.

Andy Barr, who runs “boutique engineering services provider” Barrnon, bought the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald two weeks after it went into administration in February, saving 22 jobs.

Now Andy has added another long-established local title to his portfolio by buying the Keswick Reminder.

And his first move will be to return the Reminder – who has been an online-only offering since the start of the lockdown – to print with the first edition due out on Friday.

Andy Barr, left, toasts the future of the Keswick Reminder with former owners Jane Grave and David Branthwaite.

The North Lakes weekly had hitherto been owned and run by four generations of the same family under the name G W McKane & Son, with brother and sister David Branthwaite, senior partner, and editor Jane Grave currently at the helm.

Jane and David will continue to work alongside Andy as the title begins a new era in its 124-year history.

In a joint statement, Jane and David said: “We are excited to be part of a new era for the Keswick Reminder, which will see our beloved and unique newspaper continue to provide an advertising facility and an honest and reliable community news service to our loyal advertisers and readers in the Keswick and North Lakes area.

“We are looking forward to working alongside Andy who has great vision for the future of independent local newspapers like the Reminder and the Herald, which share similar histories, values and standards.”

Added Andy: “The acquisition of the Reminder will enable us to gain more readers and cement the future of the Herald and the Reminder in these uncertain times. It has been a strategic purchase for us.

“The history and continuity of the Keswick Reminder was paramount in my reasons for buying the paper. I believe the Herald and the Reminder are highly compatible and share a similar ethos, history and outlook.

“Having recently acquired the Herald, I have fought hard to publish throughout the coronavirus lockdown, and it is my intention to return the Reminder to print, with the first edition out next Friday.

“My vision is for uber-local papers, publishing uber-local news for the county.”