Johnson Press to stay in market despite falls

REGIONAL newspaper operator, Johnston Press saw advertising revenues at its Irish operations fall by nearly 33% – in local currency terms – last year, but is still not ready to re-visit attempts to sell out of the market.

Advertising revenues at the Scottish group’s Irish division fell by 25% in sterling terms, last year, to £14.4 million, but by 32.8% in euro terms. In Britain, Johnston’s ad revenues fell by 26.5% to just under £258m.

Johnston failed in its attempts to sell its Irish newspapers last year after it failed to attract a favourable offer. Although it has since closed two printing presses – one here and one in Scotland – and disposed of the Tallaght Echo, management said yesterday that “no further sales are being contemplated”.