Adscene Announces Acquisitions For £30m

EMAP is to sell all of its regional newspapers in Kent to the Canterbury-based Adscene Group for £9.85 million. Emap’s Kent papers comprise thirteen paid- for weekly papers, which include the Medway News, the Thanet Gazette, the East Kent Gazette and the Folkestone and Dover Herald Express.

Emap has said its decision to sell these papers was taken with regard to their position within Kent; although well placed in their local markets, none are in Kent’s major commercial centres of Maidstone and Canterbury. Emap’s disposal of these papers follows its acquisitions in July of Thomson Regional Newspaper’s Bedfordshire based titles.

Adscene has also made recommended offers for the Tamworth Herald Company and for the 51% of the share capital of the Lichfield Mercury Limited not already owned by Tamworth Herald. These two groups, based in the West Midlands, publish 17 free and 7 paid-for titles. Tamworth Herald is valued at £19.52m, and Lichfield at £3.81 million.

These acquisitions will mean that Adscene will publish 1.8 million copies of 81 weekly titles, of which 240,000 copies will be paid-for.

Adscene says the acquisitions “represent a major opportunity to expand the Group’s range of titles and geographic coverage”. Of the Tamworth Group, Adscene cites not only increased coverage of the Midlands, but the new purpose built premises will allow further colour pages. With regard to Emap’s Kent titles, Adscene said the acquisition will “significantly enhance Adscene’s profile within the Kent area.”

Because of the size of the acquisitions, they are all subject to the approval of Adscene shareholders, at an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on 23 December 1995.

Adscene: 01227 767321