Selby Times ‘to be sold’ to rival Post publisher
Selby’s longest running weekly newspaper is set to be sold to the publisher of its arch rival, it has emerged.
Selby
South Yorkshire Newspapers, the company behind the Selby Times is understood to be in the process of offloading the 153 year-old title to Goole’s Chronicle Publications Ltd – proprietors of rival paper, Selby Post.
The Times’ sister title, free-sheet Goole Courier, is also expected to change hands as part of the deal struck between the two publishers.
The impending sale was reported by press trade website HoldTheFrontPage, who understands that four journalists and associated advertising staff working for the Gowthorpe based titles have been told they will not be transferred to the new company. Instead they will be found alternative roles elsewhere within SYN’s parent company, Johnston Press.
The sale is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
Resulting from the sale, Chronicle will own two papers in Selby and two in Goole. It is not yet known whether all four weeklies will continue to be published in their present form or will be the subject of mergers.
In recent years SYN has enacted a number of controversial changes to the Selby’s much-loved paper. These include the introduction of a tabloidesque new layout, multiple cover-price hikes and an increase in content syndicated between other papers in the group.
Staffing has also seen many a shake-up recently including the axe falling on the post of deputy editor.
Selby Online has contacted both groups for comment. We will update should either company be forthcoming.