Speculation circulates that Local Media eyeing Glasgow Evening Times to grow Scottish reach
The Glasgow Evening Times is the target of a takeover from recently launched local newspaper group, Local World, industry speculation has claimed, with neither the company, or current publisher Newsquest, offering a denial.
Sources within the Scottish newspaper industry have told The Drum that the newspaper is being eyed by Local World, which currently has no titles in Scotland, in order to expand its reach.
Both Trinity Mirror and Iliffe News & Media are backing the newly launched local newspaper company which is headed by up former Northcliffe chief executive Steve Aukland as CEO and former Trinity Mirror executive David Montgomery as chairman.
Founded in 1876 as a sister title to The Herald, the most recent owners Newsquest acquired the paper following the departure of STV from Scottish Media Group (SMG) in 2008.
According to the most recent National Readership Survey, The Evening Times has a readership of 513,000, of which 65,000 were digital readers.
A spokesperson for Newsquest Herald & Evening Times declined to comment, while a spokesperson for Local World would only say: “Local World is focused on the two businesses it brings together and has ambitious targets to be getting on with.”
Trinity Mirror , a shareholder in Local World, has, so far, not responded to The Drum’s request for a comment either.
The model of the group, following the acquisition of Northcliffe Media, includes 63 local portal websites, 16 daily titles and 36 weekly titles, all based south of the Border.