National news publisher confirms interest in Yorkshire Post’s owner

Reach, the listed media company which owns title including the Express and Manchester Evening News, has confirmed its interest in the company that owns The Yorkshire Post.

It this morning said that following speculation it could confirm “that it is in the early stages of discussions in relation to acquiring certain of JPI Media’s assets.

Reach added: “As has been previously stated by the Company, regular consideration is given to merger and acquisition opportunities which would accelerate its strategy. There can be no certainty at this stage that these discussions will lead to an agreed transaction.

“A further announcement will be made if and when appropriate.”

JPI Media owns the i newspaper and hundreds of regional titles – including the Yorkshire Post – and is in talks about a break-up and sale of assets, according to reports.

Last week, it was revealed that a deadline for preliminary offers for the assets had been set.

It comes after the newspaper group previously trading as Johnston Press was bought out of administration in a pre-pack deal last November.

JPIMedia bought the company after it put itself up for sale. Following the deal, Johnston Press said “most staff” would keep their jobs. Johnston Press was under pressure after revealing it had to pay back loans of £220m.