Scottish Radio Buys Local Press In Northern Ireland

Scottish Radio Holdings has announced it is to buy Morton Newspapers, Northern Ireland’s largest publisher of local weekly newspapers, for £11.2 million.

The acquisition is being made through a new subsidiary company set up early in 1995; Score Press, which is 90% owned by SRH and the remainder by Score’s chief executive, Charles Villiers. Score Press has been set up specifically to acquire and develop interests in local and regional weekly newspapers; SRH said it believes those services with a strong local appeal are best placed to survive and prosper.

Scottish Radio Chief Executive James Gordon commented, ‘This is an exciting first step in our carefully planned diversification into local weekly newspapers. We will of course continue to seek further opportunities for growth in the commercial radio market.’

Scottish Radio is the fourth largest commercial radio owner in the UK after Emap, Capital and GWR. Morton Newspapers publishes 26 titles.

Scottish Radio: 0141 306 2202