Johnston Press cuts could lead to closure of one printing press

JOHNSTON Press is believed to be preparing to close one of its two printing/production facilities here, as part of cost-cutting measures being administered following its failure to sell its Irish newspaper portfolio.

While nobody at the company’s Irish base inNaas could be reached for comment yesterday, it is thought the group’s chief executive, John Fry, was in the country to finalise measures aimed at bringing about cost savings in the Irish operations.

Last month, the Edinburgh-headquartered regional newspaper publisher shelved its plans to sell its portfolio of 13 Irish newspaper titles – most of which were acquired when it bought the Leinster Leader group four years ago – after deeming that, although “considerable interest” was shown in the business, no bid of a sufficiently high price was received.