National World Publishing has widened its swoop on Northern Ireland’s local media titles with the purchase of The Banbridge Chronicle and offloaded one of its Scottish newspapers.
The media investment company purchased the 150-year old title from Scottish newspaper owner Bann Media, which itself had bought the paper from the Hodgett Group only a year ago. That sale came just after The Banbridge Chronicle had announced it was winding up as a result of commercial difficulties.
National World Publishing, a media investment company formed in 2020 by publishing stalwart David Montgomery in order to buy the former Johnston Press assets, has been on a acquisition spree in Northern Ireland recently. It bought The Newry Reporter also from the Hodgett Group only three weeks ago, again saving it from imminent closure.
As part of the latest deal, Bann Media’s owner Medquest Group will taken ownership of National World Group’s weekly paper The Galloway Gazette, which will sit alongside the company’s south west Scotland titles.
Peter Laidlaw, the managing director of Bann Media, said praised the editorial staff at The Banbridge Chronicle.
David Montgomery, who is National World’s Executive Chairman, said he had a long association with the newspaper.
“I first read the Chronicle as a schoolboy when visiting my uncle’s farm near Banbridge,” he said. “So I know how valued it has always been in the community.
“National World will protect the Chronicle’s editorial heritage and independence and will continue to promote Banbridge, its families, businesses and the cultural life of this beautiful part of Co. Down.”
National World Publishing also owns The Belfast Newsletter, The Derry Journal and a raft of other weekly local titles across the UK including The Scotsman and The Yorkshire Post.
