Regional Business Coverage at Reach plc Faces Uncertainty Amid Major Redundancies

Regional Business Coverage Faces Uncertainty Amid Major Cutbacks at Reach plc

In a significant shake-up that threatens the future of regional business journalism, Reach plc has announced the elimination of 321 editorial roles while creating 135 new positions, marking what the company describes as its “biggest ever” newsroom overhaul. Among those departing is Peter Walker, the editor of Scottish Business Insider, who has helmed the publication for the past five years.

Walker’s exit raises concerns about the viability of the 41-year-old brand, which transitioned to an online-only format after ceasing print publication in 2022. In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Walker expressed his mixed emotions about leaving, stating, “It’s been genuinely fascinating learning about the various strands and sectors of Scottish business… Now I’m back in the job market, so do let me know if you know of any similarly stimulating writing/editing gigs going…”

Joining Walker in the exodus is Midlands business editor Tamlyn Jones, who has been a prominent figure in the region’s business reporting landscape. While Jones has not publicly commented on his departure, he has informed PR contacts of his exit. Professor David Bailey from Birmingham Business School remarked on social media, “Local business news won’t quite be the same again,” highlighting the impact of Jones’s departure.

The restructuring has also resulted in the discontinuation of a dedicated reporter for West Midlands business news at BusinessLive and its connected local titles. However, regional business editors Sion Barry and Hannah Baker, covering Wales and the South West respectively, will retain their positions, as will Alastair Houghton, who oversees Business Live and covers the North West.

This latest round of cuts comes less than two years after a previous major restructuring that saw five regional business editors leave, leaving BusinessLive without dedicated reporting staff in several areas. The ongoing changes have raised questions about the future of business journalism within Reach plc, particularly regarding whether Scottish Business Insider and BusinessLive will continue as standalone online brands.

In response to the upheaval, a Reach spokesperson stated, “Business journalism remains an important part of our local news output. We’re continuing to evolve our business coverage, ensuring it reflects the needs of our audiences and the ways they increasingly choose to consume that type of news.” However, the company has not confirmed the future status of its regional business titles.

As the landscape of regional business journalism continues to shift, industry insiders and readers alike are left wondering what the future holds for these vital news sources.