The publisher announced earlier this month that it will shut its Saltire and Watford print sites within the year.
The move is an attempt to drive operational cost savings and improve cash generation amongst shifts towards digital publishing.
Chief Executive of Reach plc Piers North said: “Print remains an important part of our business, and will continue to drive considerable circulation revenue, but our future is firmly rooted in digital. This consolidation is a proactive and strategic move, positioning our business for long-term success.
“By refining our print operations, we can focus our attention on content and audiences – the core driver of our business – and accelerate our digital growth opportunities such as our digital subscriptions offering.”
Most of the work currently completed at its Saltire site in Scotland will be shifted to its remaining Oldham site in Greater Manchester.
The rest of the work will take place at DC Thomson’s facility in Dundee, Scotland.
This change is expected to occur this spring.
The Watford site will move its production to the Newsprinters site in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, from summer 2026.
Reach plc said that “a thorough consultation process” with all impacted employees at the two sites has begun.
Effects on the recovered paper sector
The recovered paper sector has seen a fairly consistent supply of newsprint in recent years, but limited demand.
Most of the domestic demand comes from the King’s Lynn mill which is run by Palm Paper.
The closure of the two Reach plc’s sites will have a significant impact on domestic demand.
Export demand for newsprint and magazines is also dwindling, falling 16% in 2025 from European mills.
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