Newspapers propose to cut 20 jobs

National media group Archant owns the East Anglian Daily Times in Suffolk

Plans to cut about 20 jobs at the two main daily newspapers for Suffolk have been announced.

Editorial and photographic jobs will go at the East Anglian Daily Times, which covers Suffolk and north Essex, and the Evening Star.

Staff at the Ipswich-based newspapers were told the news at meetings in the morning and evening, said a spokesman for the National Union of Journalists.

Archant, which owns the titles, said it was "sad" to be making the cuts.

The company, which has its head office in Norwich, is among the top five regional newspaper publishers in the UK.

It employs 2,600 people across England and its newspaper division produces four daily regional newspapers and about 60 weekly titles.

'Damage quality'

NUJ head of publishing Barry Fitzpatrick said: "Cutting 20 staff from its Suffolk operations is clearly going to damage quality and undermine the good standing of the papers.

"Archant should remember that local papers need to continue to serve their communities with quality journalism if they're to prosper the other side of any recession."

It is going to be a difficult time for the department and I am sad that we are forced to take this action Stuart McCreery Archant Suffolk managing director

The cuts are believed to be part of plans to save Archant about £500,000.

Archant Suffolk managing director Stuart McCreery said it was possible more than 20 people could be made redundant.

He said the "headcount reductions" were a result of moving to a "more efficient work flow" and the "very difficult" economic climate.

He added: "In 2008 the Regional Media sector saw revenues decline quickly and profits on many titles have declined significantly.

"The outlook is not positive and we have seen other media owners close titles, shut offices and make announcements about staff redundancies."

Mr McCreery said the company would ask for voluntary redundancies where possible.

He said: "It is going to be a difficult time for the department and I am sad that we are forced to take this action."

Last week it was revealed that the owner of the Colchester Gazette in Essex - Newsquest - has told staff the firm plans to axe the position of editor and up to 13 editorial jobs.