Cambridge Independent publisher Iliffe Media acquires 13 newspaper titles and websites

Iliffe Media, the family-owned publisher of the Cambridge Independent, has completed the acquisition of 13 newspaper titles and their associated websites and editions from Johnston Press (JP).

The £17million deal, first announced in December, was subject to shareholders’ approval within JP, which has now been granted. The purchase covers:

■ Bourne Local

■ Bury Free Press

■ Diss Express

■ Fenland Citizen

■ Grantham Journal

■ Haverhill Echo

■ Lincs Free Press

■ Lynn News

■ Newmarket Journal

■ Rutland Times

■ Spalding Guardian

■ Stamford Mercury

■ Suffolk Free Press

and their associated editions and websites. All of the newspapers will be printed at Iliffe Print Cambridge – where the Cambridge Independent is printed – from next week.

Edward Iliffe, chief executive of Iliffe Media, said: “We are delighted to have concluded the acquisition of these well-respected local newspapers.

“Iliffe Media, with its long heritage as an independent, family-run media business, firmly believes in the future of local newspaper publishing across all platforms and we now look forward to working in a positive way with our new colleagues and the communities they serve.”

Ricky Allan, managing director of Iliffe Media’s Cambridge Independent newspaper, will take responsibility for the titles in Bury, Newmarket, Diss, Haverhill and Sudbury, while Richard Parkinson will take responsibility for the titles in King’s Lynn, Wisbech, Spalding, Grantham, Stamford and Rutland, also as managing director.

The Iliffe family’s publishing heritage dates back to 1879. Edward Iliffe established Iliffe Media in 2016 and the new company began publishing the Cambridge Independent in September.

Cambridge Independent editor and Iliffe Media editorial director Paul Brackley said: “We are delighted to be welcoming our new colleagues to Iliffe Media. Our advertisers will also benefit from the expanded reach of our new portfolio.”