Johnston Buys Eight Eastern Counties Titles

One of Britain’s leading regional newspaper publishers has gone back on on the acquisition trail, buying eight titles in a deal worth £8 million.

Edinburgh-based Johnston Press has bought the papers, which circulate in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, from Eastern Counties Newspapers Group.

The acquired titles are: Luton News, Dunstable Gazette, Leighton Buzzard Observer and Linslade Gazette, Milton Keynes Observer, Luton Leader, Bedford & Kempston Herald, Biggleswade and Sandy Herald and Milton Keynes Herald.

Until recently they were part of Home Counties Newspapers Holdings which Johnston agreed to buy last year but was dogged by and Monopolies & Mergers investigation; in the meantime Home Counties was acquired by Eastern (see Too Late For Johnston’s MMC Clearance).

Johnston Press: 0131 225 3361