The UK’s biggest regional publisher Reach plc is recruiting again in the wake of hundreds of job losses in the run-up to Christmas.

Reach chief executive Jim Mullen announced at the beginning of November that 450 jobs at the group would be lost, including around 300 editorial roles.

The following weeks saw a host of experienced staff leaving the business, club football coverage cut back in some towns and cities and 13 websites closed.

Now, in a sign that the digital downturn which affected the industry in 2023 has bottomed-out, the company is back on the lookout for new staff – although the hours on offer may prove challenging for some!

News of the latest Reach recruitment drive, which will see the creation of five new roles, came in an email to all staff from chief digital publisher David Higgerson, pictured, which has been seen by HTFP.

He revealed that the company is creating a new ‘overnights team’ to be responsible for covering breaking and trending stories for the group’s ‘Live’ network of websites between the hours of 10pm and 6am.

Wrote David: “As we continue to focus on building our audience, we’re creating a new overnights team to improve our overnight coverage and put us on the front-foot as we go into each day.

“We’re kicking off internal recruitment for five new roles (four senior reporters and a content editor), so please apply if you’re interested.

“The team will be responsible for covering breaking and trending stories overnight for our websites, going wherever on the network the audience opportunity is greatest at that time. They’ll work closely with colleagues in New York to ensure we’re getting the most out of audience opportunities overnight.

“Shifts will be 10pm – 6am and be remotely based across the UK/Ireland – see the job descriptions for more details.”

Reach has been approached for further comment.