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# Owner of the Lichfield Mercury unveils plan to cut 550 jobs across the country
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/owner-of-the-lichfield-mercury-unveils-plan-to-cut-550-jobs-across-the-country/
- Published: 2020-07-07T09:20:06.000Z
- Updated: 2020-07-07T09:21:04.000Z
- Description: The owner of the Lichfield Mercury has revealed it plans to cut 550 jobs.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Business, Newspaper, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:14, News

The owner of the Lichfield Mercury has revealed it plans to cut 550 jobs.

Reach PLC outlined the proposals [in a trading update](https://www.reachplc.com/news-releases/news-release-details/trading-update-24?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) today (7th July).

The company revealed the coronavirus crisis had impacted heavily on advertising revenues.

Jim Mullen, chief executive officer of Reach, said:

> “Structural change in the media sector has accelerated during the pandemic and this has resulted in increased adoption of our digital products.  
>  
> “However, due to reduced advertising demand, we have not seen commensurate increases in digital revenue.  
>  
> “To meet these challenges and to accelerate our customer value strategy, we have completed plans to transform the business and are ready to begin the process of implementation..  
>  
> “Regrettably, these plans involve a reduction in our workforce and we will ensure all impacted colleagues are treated with fairness and respect throughout the forthcoming consultation process.  
>  
> “The plans will provide a stable platform for us to accelerate our strategy, based on stronger and deeper customer relationships, increasing our appeal to advertisers – this will ensure the sustainability and profitability of the Reach business, enabling it to deliver to stakeholders over the long-term.”  
>  
> Jim Mullen, Reach PLC

The Lichfield Mercury paused print publication in April after editor Charlotte Hart [told readers that the COVID-19 crisis had caused “a dramatic fall in revenue”](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/lichfield-newspaper-confirms-decision-to-pause-publication-after-coronavirus-sees-advertising-revenue-fall/).

Reach has not confirmed where the 550 jobs – which equate to around 12% of the total workforce – will be lost.

But the trading update said a move to more centralised structures was likely across the business.

> “The plans announced today will reshape the Reach business into a streamlined, efficient organisation with more focussed editorial, advertising and central operations.  
>  
> “Editorial will move to a more centralised structure bringing together national and regional teams across print and digital to significantly increase efficiency and remove duplication while maintaining the strong editorial identity of our news brands.”  
>  
> Reach PLC trading update