Trinity Mirror in talks to buy Daily Express publisher

The publisher of the Daily Record and Daily Mirror newspapers is in talks to acquire 100 per cent of Daily Express group Northern & Shell.

Trinity Mirror publishes a number of national and regional newspapers. Picture: Contributed

Trinity Mirror said today that it has “ceased discussions to acquire a minority stake” and is instead in talks to buy the publisher, which also comprises the Daily Star, in its entirety.

“Further to the announcement made on 10 January 2017, the board of Trinity Mirror notes that it is now in discussions to acquire 100% of the publishing assets of Northern & Shell and that it has ceased discussions to acquire a minority stake,” the group said.

Northern & Shell is owned by Richard Desmond, who acquired the titles in 2000 for £125 million, although it is unclear how much a deal would be worth today.

The company publishes the Express and Star as well as a stable of magazines, including popular weekly Ok! Magazine.

Trinity Mirror publishes the Daily Record and Sunday Mail in Scotland, and publishes the Daily Mirror and Sunday sister titles the Sunday Mirror and the Sunday People.

The print media industry is grappling with a decline in print advertising and any combination could herald cost savings and a shared cut of a larger advertising pool.

It is the second time in less than two years that Trinity has opened talks with Northern & Shell.

An earlier mooted deal is thought to have included former News of the World editor David Montgomery.

Montgomery had been plotting to create a new venture with private equity players that would house the Northern & Shell titles, in which Trinity would have been a minority stakeholder.

But industry sources said Trinity believes it has the financial firepower to go it alone and make a commercial success of a deal.

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