Guardian Media Group to close its last two local papers

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The Guardian Media Group (GMG) is to close its only remaining local newspapers, cutting 19 jobs in the process.

The Woking News & Mail and Woking Review, which are losing up to £500,000 a year between them, were excluded from a 2010 deal in which Trinity Mirror acquired 32 newspapers and associated websites operated by GMG's MEN Media in the north west as well as S&B Media in the south of England. According to a report from the Office of Fair Trading , Trinity Mirror declined to purchase the two titles because it already owned competitor the Woking Informer.

In a statement released today, GMG said that it has been trying to find an alternative buyer for the Woking titles during the past year but, despite a number of expressions of interest, "no viable offers have emerged".

"In light of this, and the Woking papers' substantial ongoing losses, we have reluctantly made the decision to close the titles," the group confirmed.

The last edition to be published will be the Woking News & Mail on 17 March. It is understood that the two titles currently employ 19 members of staff, nine of whom are journalists.

"We deeply regret that such a step is necessary, and have only contemplated closure having exhausted all other options," GMG added.

"Staff have been aware of the situation for some time. The company is in formal consultation with all affected employees and their representatives.

"We would like to thank the staff and management of the Woking titles who have shown great professionalism and patience throughout this difficult process."

Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists said: "The demise of these publications is a major blow to hard working journalists and local news.

"The current company should have made every effort to continue the publication of these titles. This is another example of a business model that fails local journalism and demonstrates the inadequacy of the present ownership."