Three sister weeklies will cease publication this week after a 127-year-old family newspaper business announced its closure with the loss of eight jobs.

The final editions of the Cheadle & Tean Times, Uttoxeter Echo and the Leek & Moorlands Echo will be published on Wednesday, owner Times, Echo & Life Publications has announced.

Their closure comes after editor and publisher Paul Campbell said the papers had “struggled to regain the pre-pandemic volumes of income needed to justify their existence”.

Paul told HTFP he had attempted to sell the business but has now decided to retire.   It is understood that eight jobs are affected by the closure.

Announcing the closure, Paul said: “I would like to thank you our readers, advertisers, contributors and friends for your support over the years – we couldn’t have done it without you.

“Local newspapers of our size, together with many others in the industry, have struggled to regain the pre-pandemic volumes of income needed to justify their existence.

“So it is with a heavy heart that I have decided to retire and in doing so close the business which has served the community since 1896.

“The last editions will be published next week, 5 July.”

He added: “This has been an extremely difficult decision but one I believe has to be taken.

“While remembering the titles we should also remember the dedicated teams across the years, in particular the current excellent team, who have worked tirelessly to produce them.

“They have been truly local newspapers produced by local people for local people.

“A fond farewell to all of you, from all of us.”

Speaking to HTFP, Paul said: “I have been trying unsuccessfully to sell the business for the last two years.

“I’m 70 in a month or so and after 50 plus years of “minding the shop”- it’s time I retired.”