Trinity Mirror confirms Local World deal

Trinity Mirror has today confirmed it is to take full control of regional publisher Local World in a deal that values the business at £220m.

The publisher of the Daily Mirror and Sunday People will buy out the 80% it does not already own in Local World to create the largest regional newspaper publisher in the UK.

“This is a good day for local media,” said Simon Fox, chief executive, Trinity Mirror.

“Local World is a business we know and respect and by combining it with Trinity Mirror we will create an organisation of scale, with the talent and financial capacity to invest and adapt to the rapidly changing media landscape. It is a vote of confidence in local press and its future.”
[advert position=”left”]
Local World is one of the largest regional news publishers in the UK and was established at the end of 2012 through the acquisition of the regional publishing assets of Northcliffe Media Limited and Iliffe News & Media Limited.

The publisher owns 83 print publications, including 16 daily print titles, 2 Metro franchises, 36 paid weekly titles and 29 free weekly titles. Its digital portfolio attracts an audience with 24 million monthly unique browsers and approximately 167 million monthly page views.

Trinity Mirror said that the deal will see the full network of publishing websites deliver 120 million monthly unique browsers and 790 million monthly page views.

Local World group CEO David Montgomery – who is set to leave following the deal – said: “Local World was founded three years ago with a clear vision to reinvigorate regional media with an unrelenting focus on our content, audience and advertisers. I am proud of what we have achieved.

“Local World is full of energy and talent and Trinity Mirror is acquiring a vibrant business with a strong future. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has made Local World the success it is today.”