Isle of Wight: Long-established newspaper sold to publishing group

Founded in 1884, the Isle of Wight County Press has been sold to Newsquest Media Group. It means the formerly independent newspaper will become part of the same group that publishes the Southern Daily Echo in Southampton and Hampshire Chronicle.

Leading law firm Blake Morgan advised the Isle of Wight County Press Group, publisher of the Newport-based newspaper, on the sale.

Blake Morgan's corporate team, led by South Coast partner Stephen Archibald, advised the County Press board and its majority shareholders on the deal, with support from Dan Conway, partner Dan Curtis in the firm's property team, and senior employment associate, Lisa Wallis.

As one of the country's largest news publishers, Newsquest, based in London, owns more than 200 regional titles in cities across the UK, including locally the Southern Daily Echo, Hampshire Chronicle and Romsey Advertiser. The acquisition will offer increased resource, scale and expertise to the County Press Group, locally owned since its inception more than 130 years ago, from one of the country's strongest local news brands. Newsquest also acquired commercial printing company Crossprint, and digital agency Matrix as part of the deal.

Archibald said "This acquisition will help provide the County Press Group with the support it needs to continue delivering news locally in an ever-changing media landscape. I would like to congratulate both the County Press and Newsquest on the deal, and wish them the very best as they go forward together."

Blake Morgan, recent dual-winner of the prestigious Solent Deals Awards and South Coast Property Awards Law Firm of the Year 2017, has a strong portfolio of UK and multinational client companies (public and private), SMEs, owner managed businesses and start-ups with a need for high-quality corporate and M&A support and advice.