Dozen editorial posts at risk at Weekly News

THE publisher of the Dundee-based celebrity, entertainment and human interest newspaper, The Weekly News, is looking to shed a dozen editorial posts, across four offices: Dundee, Glasgow, Manchester and London.

The paper, which has a circulation of just over 53,000 and is aimed at an older readership, was recently moved from publisher, DC Thomson’s newspapers division to its consumer entertainment one.

Sixty-one per cent of its readership are women and 57 per cent are aged over 55. Scotland accounts for a quarter of its sales, with the north of England 30 per cent.

Says a statement from the company: “DC Thomson, the Dundee publishers, have announced a proposed restructuring of The Weekly News. The proposed change will affect some Weekly News staff in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Dundee.

“There will be a loss of 12 jobs. The company will be taking every measure to minimise the impact on affected staff and looking for redeployment opportunities within the organisation. It will also be providing help for those who are unsuccessful in this.

“The company intends to enter into a period of consultation with all those affected by the proposals beginning this week.”