Johnston Press is pleased to announce an extension of its current contractual arrangements with News International through a second 15-year agreement to print News International titles, this time at its printing facility in Portsmouth. This follows the announcement made earlier in the month concerning an application for planning permission for a new press hall and mailroom on the current site and on which the contract is conditional. The development is expected to cost in excess of £45 million but will accommodate both this contract and the future printing requirements of the Group.

This development strengthens an already well-established relationship between the two companies through current printing arrangements in the Northeast and Portsmouth as well as the recently signed 15?year agreement for the new printing facility under construction in South Yorkshire.

Tim Bowdler, Chief Executive of Johnston Press, said: “we are very pleased to secure this agreement with News International which provides us with the opportunity to enhance the Group’s printing capability, seek further economies of scale, whilst ensuring a valuable contribution to the Group's performance in the long-term”.

Enquiries

Tim Bowdler, Chief Executive or
Stuart Paterson, Finance Director
Johnston Press plc
Tel: 0131 225 3361