Bristol Evening Post Becomes Bristol United Press

Bristol Evening Post PLC has announced financial results for the year ended 31 March; operating profit before exceptional items was up 7.1% on last year to £6.6 million; pre tax profit however, at £6.6 million is down 12.6% on last year’s total of £7. 6 million.

Stanley Clarke, Chairman, said that these figures include a 25.7% increase in the cost of newsprint, which accounts for 18.6% of the newspaper cost base. This year’s profits were affected by the closure of the Lufton print works at Yeovil, whilst last year’s figures included the profit on the sale of New Broadmead for £1.236 million.

The chairman announced that the company is to change its name from the Bristol Evening Post PLC to Bristol United Press plc; this change is to highlight the fact that the group publishes other newspapers as well as the Evening Post. He also signalled the group’s intentions to extend involvement in electronic media and cable television; a senior executive has been seconded to carry on these developments.

Bristol Evening Post: 0171 623 8000