Journalists have called on a regional publisher to avoid compulsory redundancies as part of a restructure which could lead to up to 30 roles axed.

Reps from the JPIMedia NUJ group chapel have today written to the company after it last week revealed a restructure as part of plans to create more digitally-focused content.

JPIMedia plans to cut between 20 and 30 jobs from its Scottish small brands, advanced content hubs, community sport team and design hub operations, while nine new roles will be created.

The company plans to create a 24-strong central digital content team, which will include units focused on digital graphics, video production and producing lifestyle content for its major websites.

JPIMedia’s announcement about the restructure on Tuesday was made hours before the company revealed it was putting itself on the market for the second time.

Georgina Morris, lead rep for the group chapel, said: “The news of up to 30 job cuts has caused huge upset and anxiety, particularly for the 150 or so journalists working in the teams directly affected.

“While everyone was still reeling from that announcement, we then learned JPIMedia had £22m in cash reserves – via an email confirming the company was up for sale again.

“It has been difficult for people to reconcile the job cuts in light of those reserves, and more than one reference has been made to the #therewithyou pledge carried on our papers’ mastheads after the pandemic began.

“Our priority now is to work with the company to ensure there are no compulsory redundancies, something which we would strongly resist.

“We very much welcome the offer of discussions with NUJ officials and reps at both national and local level this week, and hope to have more positive news to report back to our members afterwards.”

JPIMedia has declined to comment on the NUJ’s statement, but previously said it hoped to redeploy as many people as many people as possible into the new central unit.