Acquisition of Hill Brothers Group

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Thursday 20 June 2002

DMGT announces that Northcliffe Newspapers Group, its regional newspaper division, has today applied to the Department of Trade and Industry for consent to acquire the newspaper publishing interests of Hill Brothers Group. Hill Brothers, whose headquarters are in Leek in Staffordshire, publish:

  • a series of paid-for weekly newspapers with a combined circulation of around 18,000:
    • The Leek Post and Times
    • Cheadle Post and Times
    • Uttoxeter Post and Times
  • the Ad-News series of free weekly newspapers in Congleton and Biddulph
  • the Cheshire Community News, a series of eight free titles that are published monthly in Macclesfield, Romiley, Middlewich, Four Heatons, Wilmslow, Bramhall, Hale and Lymm
  • and a weekly Property Guide.

The Leek Post and Times was first published as the Leek Times in 1870, merging with the Leek Post in 1936.

The present owners, who include members of the family who have owned the Leek title since approximately 1900, have agreed to sell their shares in Hill Brothers to Northcliffe subject only to the necessary consents. Northcliffe believes that the business has exciting prospects and very much looks forward to working closely with the staff to maximise its future potential.

Estimated net assets to be acquired amount to approximately £350,000.

Enquiries to:
Peter Williams DMGT +44 207 938 6631
Julie Foster Tulchan Communications (for Northcliffe Newspapers) +44 207 353 4200