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Owner of two weeklies buys county news site in ‘significant’ deal

Andy BarrThe owner of two weekly newspapers has added an independent county-wide news website to its portfolio.

Barrnon Media has announced a deal to buy Cumbria Crack for an undisclosed sum.

Cumbria Crack attracts between one and two million views each month, boasting 100,000 Twitter followers and a following of 150,000 on Facebook.

Barrnon was set up seven months ago to save the administration-hit Cumberland & Westmorland Herald, and has since bought the Keswick Reminder.

Barrnon owner Andy Barr, pictured, called the deal “significant”, adding: “It is an important strategic purchase as we build our company and our brand.”

A piece announcing the deal on the Herald’s website states Cumbria Crack is “popular among the 24-35-year-old demographic, especially those using a mobile phone”.

Cumbria Crack owner Carl Fallowfield said: “I’ve spent 10 years building up this business. It’s been hard work but it is going to a good home and the time is right to hand it over.”

Barrnon Media managing director John Holliday said the deal would “help the business grow as well as offering advertisers a wider range of options”.

He said: “It has taken time to get it over the line, but I hope we can now build on Carl’s foundations and attack growth.”

Cumbria Crack will relaunch under the ownership of Barrnon on 1 December.