The battle for control of regional publisher National World appeared to have concluded last night after Chelsea football club owner Todd Boehly backed away from a potential takeover bid.

National World had previously agreed the terms of a £65m takeover by Irish-based marketing and publishing business Media Concierge, which given the go-ahead by Irish regulators last month.

But the deal stalled after National World revealed that Todd Boehly-owned Eldridge Media Holdings was considering making an offer for the company.

However the Media Concierge buyout now looks set to proceed after EMH confirmed it would not after all be making an offer.

It said in a statement to the Stock Exchange: “Further to the announcement made on 28 March 2025 by National World regarding a possible offer for National World by EMH, EMH confirms that, following careful consideration, it does not intend to make an offer for National World.”

National World, led by David Montgomery, is publisher of The Scotsman, The Yorkshire Post and numerous other regional newsbrands which were formerly part of the JPIMedia stable.

Its shareholders formally approved Media Concierge’s bid of 23p per share, valuing the company at £65.1m, on 13 February.

Media Concierge, headed by Malcolm Denmark, publishes a number of titles in the Republic of Ireland including the Donegal Democrat and Limerick Leader.

Mr Denmark was one of the original investors in National World and already owned 28pc of its shares prior to the takeover.

His original offer to buy the company for 21pc a share were initially rebuffed by Mr Montgomery and his board.

But after he increased his offer to 23p a share, the National World board decided to recommend the bid to its shareholders on financial advice.

Mr Denmark, who also owns advertising company Mediaforce UK, has already pledged that he does not intend to make “material job reductions in editorial or production areas” or close down local newsbrands, although there may be some job losses in back-office roles.