89 jobs lost as Independent News and Media closes printing operation in Belfast

Up to 89 jobs are being cut in Belfast as Independent News and Media has announced it is to close its printing operation in the city.

The company however insists that it remains committed to its publishing business there, whose titles include the Belfast Telegraph, Sunday Life and Sunday World.

CEO Robert Pitt explains what has led to the decision: "Today we’ve announced that we are planning to close down the print operation on Royal Avenue in Belfast.

"The reason for that is that the print plant is no longer viable.

"The printing plant here in Belfast also prints papers for other publishers and two of those contracts are finishing up.

"So with the loss of those two contracts the plants future is thrown into more doubt in the future."

INM says it will now begin a period of consultation with staff and their trade union representatives.

CEO Robert Pitt says workers who are loosing their jobs will be taken care of: "We will look after the workers of the plant as well as we can.

"We’re putting in place a package for those workers and we’ll help them retrain for the future.

"It’s a very sad day for a printing plant which has been here for 150 years in the heart of Belfast.

"We are remaining 100 percent committed to the rest of our business up here in Northern Ireland."