DC Thomson 'acquires' share in local newspaper publisher: Exclusive
Dundee publishers DC Thomson are understood to have acquired a significant share of Premier publishing, producers of six Glasgow local news titles including the West End news, as part of a deal to offset the company’s debts.
Premier’s director Campbell Murdoch confirmed that a restructuring of the business would be announced shortly, but would not confirm any further details of the role of DC Thomson.
However DC Thomson did confirm that Premier owed money to them for print work undertaken on behalf of the company.
“We don’t own premier, but have printed for them. In their present circumstances, we are a creditor of Premier,” a DC Thomson spokesman told the Drum.
The Drum understands that DC Thomson will up production on the Southside News title from fortnightly to weekly, and the West end news, City Centre News and the Northsider likely to close as part of a plan to streamline the business. The East End News is likely to continue in production as a fortnightly title.
It is not known if there will be job cuts as a result of the streamlining.
An official announcement from Premier is expected by 15 August.