City Life magazine closing down

Staff at the magazine thanked its "loyal readers"

Manchester's listings magazine City Life is closing down, with the loss of more than 40 jobs.

The 7 December issue will be the last, its owners, the Guardian Media Group (GMG) has decided.

GMG says that it has "struggled" to publish City Life at a profit for the last 15 years.

The journalists' union, the NUJ, was protesting at the editorial job losses outside the GMG-owned Manchester Evening News on Friday.

A simultaneous protest will be held outside the Guardian office in London.

'Deep regret'

Journalist and City Life columnist Tony Wilson is among those who has joined the protest campaign against the magazine's closure.

City Life was started in 1983 as a workers' co-operative and was bought by GMG in 1989.

A total of 13 editorial staff will be made redundant by the closure, the NUJ claims.

Mike Dodson, GMG Regional Newspapers chief executive, said that a total of 40 jobs were to go as part of "a structural review".

'Loyal' readers

He added: "We are trading in a difficult market.

"The company needs to react to the changed circumstances and regrettably a number of positions will be lost.

"The job losses will come primarily from the Manchester business located at Deansgate and will include the closure of City Life Magazine."

A statement from staff on the magazine's website says: "City Life began publishing in December 1983 and has been bringing you all your essential Manchester listings since then.

"We are grateful to all our loyal readers for their support over the years."