Premier Publishing goes to Press
The Drum understands that following the recent news that local Glasgow newspaper publisher, Premier Publishing was put into liquidation, its publisher, Campbell Murdoch may already be involved in a similar venture, entitled Premier Press.
Former members of staff of the now defunct company which printed six free newspapers including the West End News and the Southside News have informed The Drum that, more than two weeks after they were asked to leave, following ‘it’s liquidation’ they have yet to hear from a liquidator and have yet to receive P45’s or any Government aid.
They have also revealed that prior to the company’s closure, they were being asked to use printed documents which referred to the company as Premier Press, rather than Premier Publishing. Incidentally, the title of Premier Press was registered at Company’s House on 1 August under Murdoch’s wife’s name.
The Southside news published on 8 August also claimed to be published by Premier Press, but gave the contact details of Premier Publishing.
Former members of staff are also thought to have lost significant sums of money having invested in the company.
In the previous issue, The Drum reported that DC Thompson was looking to acquire some of the publisher’s titles as an offset for the debt owed to it by the company. DC Thompson has since denied an interest in doing so.
Campbell Murdoch, former magazine publisher at Newsquest was unavailable for comment at the time of writing.