Portsmouth printing press to close following DMG business review

A Portsmouth newspaper printing press which has been based in the city for over 50 years is to close.

DMG Media announced this week that printing at the site, which prints the Portsmouth's The News, would cease following a review of its printing operations and a decision to consolidate printing work.

DMG acquired the Portsmouth site from JPI Media along with presses in Dinnington in South Yorkshire and Portadown in Northern Ireland in October 2020.

In a statement, a dmg media spokesperson said: “Following an extensive review of the Associated Print Holdings business based at Portsmouth, dmg media is proposing to shut down the plant, in order to consolidate print operations.

“This has been a difficult but necessary decision and regrettably, the proposal may result in significant job losses.

“The company will engage in a consultation process with the staff and Union that will be both full and considered.

“We are absolutely committed to helping everyone who is affected and supporting them through the process.”

The building, formally known as The News Centre, used to be the offices for The News until staff relocated to the Lakeside North Harbour in 2013 after moving from premises on Stanhope Road in 1969.

The printing presses remained at the site once the editorial operation had departed.

Gerald Vernon-Jackson, leader of Portsmouth City Council, was disappointed by DMG’s decision to axe the printing hub – which was purchased in October 2020.

He said: "I’m sad that The Daily Mail has chosen to shut the site and the loss of jobs that are going to come as a result of that.

"I don’t think anybody expected when they bought it that it would close like this. It’s very sad. The Daily Mail hasn’t talked to us at all about this."

Read more - Maidenhead Advertiser changes hands