Trinity Mirror is planning to close its printing plant in Newcastle with the loss of up to 49 jobs, it has been announced today.
The plant at Groat Market in the city centre is one of seven TM printing centres across the UK, along with Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Oldham, Teesside and Watford.
All of TM’s North-East regional titles, including Newcastle dailies the Chronicle and Journal, are now printed at Teesside, but the Newcastle centre still handles print contracts for the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and Metro.
The decision to close it is being put down to the limitations of the site and “changes in the wider environment for printed newspapers.”
A Trinity Mirror spokesperson said: “We have begun consultation on the proposed closure of the Trinity Mirror Newcastle print press site.
“This is a result of changes in the wider environment for printed newspapers and the limitations of the site at Newcastle with old presses and a city centre building with limited access. It is not reflective of the efforts, skills and dedication of the workforce in Newcastle.”
The company has confirmed that 49 roles are affected by the plan although there may be opportunities for some to move to other TM print sites.
The Newcastle centre is also home to the editorial and sales teams for the Chronicle, Journal and the Sunday Sun.
