JPIMedia has sold its print plants to the owner of the Daily Mail as the regional publisher continues to seek a buyer for its portfolio.

The company has confirmed the sale of JPIMedia Print Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries – which owns its sites at Portsmouth, Dinnington and Carn – to dmg media.

No jobs are affected by the move and JPIMedia’s newspapers will continue to be printed at the centres.

The sale was announced to staff in an email by chief executive David King, pictured, issued yesterday.

He said: “I recently wrote and told you that we had initiated a process to explore our options to sell the business.

“As I have previously said, it is the nature of these processes that they are conducted confidentially, and despite speculation and rumour it has not been possible to provide you with any details on progress.

“I can now confirm that at midnight on 17 October, dmg media has acquired JPIMedia Print Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries which together own our three print sites. dmg media will continue to print our newspapers at Portsmouth, Dinnington and Carn.

“Terms and conditions of employment of staff at the print business are not affected. David Crow, David Smith and the print team will all transfer with the business.

“I will update you further on progress with the regional newspaper business process in due course.”

Earlier this month it was reported both Archant and former Local World boss David Montgomery have tabled offers for the regional publisher, which put itself up for sale for a second time in September.

DMGT, the owner of dmg media, previously purchased national newspaper the i from JPIMedia in 2019.