Regional Press

 

Job losses inevitable as Trinity plans overhaul of flagship Midlands papers

 

LONDON - Trinity Mirror has confirmed it plans to radically overhaul its flagship Midlands newspapers, which could result in the Birmingham Post becoming a weekly title and the Birmingham Mail converting to a morning paper.

Trinity's flagship Midlands newspapers Birmingham Post and Birmingham Mail
Trinity's flagship Midlands newspapers Birmingham Post and Birmingham Mail

Trinity Mirror today launched a consultation with staff, advertisers and union representatives over the future of the titles and though it said no final decisions have been taken, it emphasised its Midlands businesses are running at a forecast loss in excess of £6m for 2010 and further jobs cuts were inevitable.

The Birmingham Post is Trinity's business-oriented daily, while the Birmingham Mail is currently an evening paper.

The publisher said it was seeking to reduce its cost base in the Midlands, adding that were it not for cuts that have already been made, losses in the region would have been as much as £10m.

In a statement from Trinity, the company outlined the need to make wholesale changes.

"It is clear that to safeguard the future of these businesses further action is required. This will involve careful consideration of all the options open to the Midlands businesses and a concentration on how to reduce the cost base while protecting titles and revenues in the most appropriate way going forward."

Georgina Harvey, managing director, Trinity Mirror Regionals, said the economic situation facing these businesses is "extraordinary in both its severity and impact".

In July, Trinity Mirror announced plans to close nine newspapers and two niche publications at its Midlands division and merge two other papers, making 118 staff, including about 25 commercial staff, redundant.

In June, the NUJ reported it had seen international documents that showed Trinity Mirror was planning to close eight regional titles, to reduce to the frequency of the Birmingham Post and turn the evening Birmingham Mail to an overnight paper.

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