Southport paper makes job cuts after feeling Covid pinch

One of Southport’s most famous media institutions says it hopes to bounce back after being hit by the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Champion Newspaper has been forced into a difficult decision to start a voluntary redundancy process which has seen the loss of a sub-editor and a reporter from their editorial team.

OTS also understands that staff across other departments took redundancy in a bid to help the much-loved newspaper.

The paper has also been forced into temporarily reducing the papers it prints with only three joint editions being produced.

It’s hoped, bosses say, that they will be able to return to a full print run when the Covid situation dies down.

Speaking to trade journal Hold The Front Page, Champion Media Group managing director Lyndsey Naylor said: “Owing to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the impact it is having on our industry, the Champion has reluctantly accepted two voluntary redundancies from within its editorial department – a reporter and a part-time sub-editor.

“There is no restructure currently taking place at Champion Media Group but the company has acted to protect its titles during the ongoing pandemic by printing three group editions covering Southport & Formby, North Liverpool and West Lancashire.

“Champion Media Group does, as a matter of policy, often revert to three editions each Christmas/New Year period.

“As, hopefully, the Covid-19 crisis diminishes over time, the Champion will review this present situation.”