Regional newspaper publisher Johnston Press has formally requested that the acquisition of eight titles from rival publishing group, Trinity Mirror, be investigated by the Competition Commission (CC). The move follows competition minister Melanie Johnson’s decision not to allow the deal to go ahead without a CC investigation (see Johnston Considers Requesting Regulator Approval For Trinity Papers Acquisition).
Johnston agreed the £16.1 million acquisition of the eight free weekly papers in June (see
Johnston Acquires Free Weeklies From Trinity Mirror). The titles include the
Peterborough Herald & Post,
Northampton Herald & Post,
Derby Trader and five other free newspapers which circulate in and around those areas. The titles will be incorporated as appropriate into the North, South and East Midlands Divisions of Johnston Press.
