It has emerged that Trinity Mirror appears set to transform the Liverpool Echo from an evening publication into 'a morning paper'. A move that could bring it into direct competition with its sister title the Liverpool Daily Post.
Details of the move were sketchy at the time of writing, but How-Do had received confirmation of the development, of sorts, from both Trinity itself and the National Union of Journalists.
According to the Union a statement was circulated to journalists today from Trinity stating that there will be no redundancies as a result of the measure but “some working patterns in advertising and in editorial will need to be reviewed.”
Moving to the morning?
The statement did not, however, implicitly state that the title would be changing to a morning paper.
In response Trinity has confirmed that the printing of the Liverpool Echo will move from Liverpool to the company’s Oldham plant on August 3. A move that some believe is happening ahead of the original schedule.
The company has said that this "difficult decision" has been "made for the long-term protection of the Echo and its staff."
When quizzed by How-Do on whether this transition would lead to the Echo appearing in the morning, a spokesperson confirmed that the paper would be on the streets 'earlier' than it is at present.
It was unclear at the time of writing exactly when that would be.
The Echo will be maintaining its two edition structure, with a second release featuring updated news stories.
The NUJ has reacted with fury to what it sees as an almost deliberate attempt by the firm to sabotage its own titles in the city.
In a statement from the union, deputy general secretary Michelle Stanistreet commented: “Trinity Mirror have already sacked scores of printers and journalists in Liverpool. Now they are setting the city’s two great papers against each other.
“They are in danger of ripping the heart out of the Post and Echo which have always been at the heart of Merseyside.
“The union will support our members in Liverpool in any campaign to defend these historic titles.”
NUJ members are now set to meet in Merseyside next week to consider the proposals and decide what, if any, action should be taken.
Jenny Lennox, NUJ assistant organiser, added: “The company says this won’t harm the Daily Post but the staff don’t believe it."
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