CN Group, the Carlisle based independent local media business has today started a consultation with its staff regarding moving to overnight printing of its two daily titles and outsourcing the distribution of all its titles.

Speaking on the proposals Robin Burgess, CN Group’s chief executive said the proposal would “provide more shelf life for our two dailies and allow newsagents to rationalise their morning and afternoon delivery rounds into one. 

“Both of these should help us maintain copy sales of the News & Star and North West Evening Mail in difficult times.  The print time would also allow us to outsource distribution, using the same distribution network as the nationals and save a considerable amount from our costs.”

These proposals, if adopted, will lead to redundancies amongst van drivers.  Those at risk, 19 at Cumbrian Newspapers based at Carlisle, nine at Furness Newspapers based at Barrow and one at J Catherall & Co based at Hexham will be consulted about the proposals during the coming weeks.

Other staff will also be consulted about changes in work patterns required if the proposed changes are adopted.

Mr Burgess further commented that these proposals are being put forward with a degree of excitement and sadness.

“Exciting in that these are positive moves to help secure the role all our titles play in their local areas.  Sad because if we do go ahead we will be losing our drivers, many of whom have worked with us for many years.”

About CN Group:

The CN Group is a multi-media business focused on serving local communities, delivering news, information and entertainment through newspapers, radio stations, internet, mobiles, magazines and other related products.  The trading operations comprise three divisions, publishing, radio and printing.

Publishing: Dailies – News & Star, North West Evening Mail

Weeklies – The Cumberland News, The Whitehaven News, The West Cumberland Times & Star, Hexham Courant, Cumbrian Gazette, The Advertiser, Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser

Magazines – Cumbria Life, Dumfries & Galloway Life, Carlisle Living, In Cumbria

CN Radio: The Bay (Lancaster), Lakeland Radio (Lake District), City Beat (Belfast)

Print: Cumbrian Newsprint prints for various publishers

Digital: All publications have active websites