Concern over newspaper sell off

The Coventry Telegraph recently became a morning paper

A protest at the sell off of dozens of newspaper titles in the Midlands has been made in parliament.

Lynda Waltho, MP for Stourbridge, West Midlands, tabled an Early Day Motion raising concerns at the sale of Trinity Mirror's Midlands Newspapers group

It is made up of more than 30 titles in the West Midlands, Warks, Staffs, Derbys, Northants and Leics.

The motion, which has been signed by 12 MPs, calls on any buyer to turn around "years of neglect" at the titles.

'Deeply concerned'

It said that Trinity Mirror's ownership "was characterised by massive cost savings which leaves the titles concerned highly profitable but without a host of functions... necessary to allow them to operate independently".

Newspapers in the group include the Birmingham Mail, Birmingham Post, Coventry Telegraph and Sunday Mercury.

DAILY CIRCULATION FALLS Birmingham Mail 17.5% Birmingham Post 9.9% Sunday Mercury 12% Coventry Telegraph 6.8%

Ms Waltho said: "For some time now, I have been deeply concerned about decisions being taken with local papers.

"There have been redundancies and a lack of investment leaving the future of many highly respected and profitable titles hanging in the balance.

"I hope new investment will be secured and that the people in the West Midlands will enjoy the benefits of an ever-improving service."

End for sport paper

Many local newspapers have faced difficult trading conditions in recent years with falling circulation and advertising revenue being lost to internet providers.

Trinity Mirror closed the Birmingham Sports Argus in May and has seen circulation fall among its paid-for titles.

The group also controls weekly newspapers in Solihull, the Black Country and Lichfield, Stafford, Burton and Tamworth in Staffordshire.

The business also stretches to the East Midlands with the Loughborough Echo plus titles in Derby, Coalville, Ilkeston and Long Eaton. It also owns titles in Peterborough, Northampton, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough.