As part of an ongoing effort to cut costs, Guardian Media Group has confirmed that the Guardian and Observer newspapers will wave good bye to their unique Berliner format and become tabloids next year.
GMG has signed a contract with Trinity Mirror to take on the responsibility of printing both titles from early 2018. As a result, GMG’s printing sites in Trafford and Stratford, which it bought for £80 million in 2005, will be closed.
Around 50 jobs are likely to be affected.
David Pemsel, chief executive, Guardian Media Group, said the move is an important step in the business’s three-year cost-saving plan.
“More people are reading and supporting our journalism than ever before, but the print industry continues to evolve, and we must evolve with it. We plan to continue the Guardian’s record of producing bold, brilliantly designed award-winning print journalism,” Pemsel said.
“This will impact a number of our print site colleagues and we will honour our commitments to them as part of the transition process to Trinity Mirror.”
Last year GNM announced it is looking to shave off more than £53 million from its current £268 million annualised cost base in an effort to offset both declining print revenues and slower-than-expected growth in digital revenues, which no longer sustain outgoings.
Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief, Guardian News & Media, said: “The Berliner is a beautiful format which has served our readers brilliantly for 12 years but we know that it is our award-winning, quality, independent journalism that our readers value most, rather than the shape or size of the newspapers.
“We are going to create a new look tabloid Guardian and Observer that are bold, striking and beautiful – and which still contain the agenda-setting journalism for which we’re renowned.”
