Johnston Press Joins Bidding Race For Newscom

Johnston Press has joined the race to bid for Newscom today by submitting an application to the Department of Trade and Industry, just a week after US publishing giant, Gannett, tendered its own proposal for the regional publisher (see Gannett Seeks Permission To Bid For Newscom).

Johnston Press, which publishes titles ranging from the Glenrothes Gazette to the Worthing Guardian, issued a statement today in which it stated its interest in acquiring the group. “Having notified the board of Newscom of its potential interest in making an offer, Johnston Press has today submitted its own application to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry … so that its interest can be considered alongside that of other interested parties”, it read.

Both applications will be submitted to the DTI’s consent process. They may then be referred to the Competition Commission, a procedure which could take up to six months.

Johnston Press won takeover approval from the Competition Commission for Portsmouth & Sunderland Newspapers earlier this year (see Johnston Wins Takeover Approval For Portsmouth & Sunderland Newspapers).

Johnston Press: 0131 225 3361 Department of Trade and Industry: 0171 215 5600 Newscom: 0181 583 8827