The Harrogate Advertiser newsroom in Harrogate could close and merge with another newsroom within the media group.
JPIMedia bought Johnston Press after it went into administration and it is now reviewing five newsroom locations and the possibility of merging with other newsrooms in the group.
Newsrooms under review:
- Belfast
- Peterborough
- Sunderland
- Harrogate
- London’s Cavendish Square.
JPI have confirmed that they will retain the Leeds newsroom, but will review space requirements.
JPI Media Chief executive, David King announced the changes in a letter to staff.
The full text of his correspondence:
Dear colleagues,
As you may be aware, all our offices are currently rented from commercial landlords under what is called a licence to occupy (LTO). The Johnston Press lease on all leased offices did not transition over when the business was bought by JPIMedia, which offers us an opportunity to review the agreements in a number of locations.
As a result of this review, certain offices could be relocated or consolidated with others to ensure we optimise our property footprint. The interests of our employees, as well as the future of our titles, will be a key consideration in this process. While many staff will not be affected, we will ensure that we engage with those that are.
Our recent acquisition by JPIMedia has secured the business, provided stability to our financial position and ensured that our operations have continued unaffected, allowing us to carry on publishing our titles without interruption. We already operate agile working in many parts of the business. By aligning agile working with the review of our property portfolio, it will help us to sustain jobs and titles for the future.
The review is in progress. At this point, I am able to confirm it is our intention to retain the following offices:
London – Derry Street (the i)
Leeds*
Edinburgh*
Preston
Sheffield
Stamford (Payroll)
Print sites (Carn, Hilsea and Dinnington)
*We will be reviewing our space requirements in both Leeds and Edinburgh
We are currently reviewing our space requirements in the following locations as a priority:
Belfast
London – Cavendish Square
Peterborough
Sunderland
Harrogate
We may seek to move into new offices, reduce the space we occupy or consolidate with other offices as appropriate. We will continue to occupy all other sites whilst we assess our needs and will engage with staff locally and establish the best way of operating for them and our operations and titles.
I ask that you continue to remain patient with me and the new board as we seek to achieve the best solutions for the business and our employees. We will continue to communicate with you throughout this process and keep you fully informed.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or feedback, please email these to internal.communications@jpimedia.co.uk.
Yours sincerely,
David
