Waypride Limited, which traded as Champion Media Group, has announced it is “no longer viable” and has ceased publication of its Southport-based titles.
Champion had been in business for 28 years and published three free editions of the Champion newspaper, covering Southport & Formby, North Liverpool and West Lancashire.
The titles’ editor, deputy editor and three reporters are among those to have lost their jobs as a result of the move.
According to ABC circulation data the papers had an average circulation of 129,784 during 2021.
The closure decision was announced in a statement from MD Lyndsey Naylor.
Naylor said: “After 28 years publishing Champion Newspapers we regret that due to current trading conditions Waypride Limited is no longer viable and it is with deep regret we have now ceased publication of local Champion titles. We are devastated that our loyal staff, who have worked tirelessly to save the business will no longer have employment.
“The Champion staff have been the backbone of the business consistently setting the highest standards of newspaper publishing across all disciplines. It is their loyalty and commitment to serving readers and advertisers that has given the Champion so many happy and successful years as your trusted local newspaper.
“Many thanks to our advertisers for making this journey possible, we wish each of you continued success during these difficult times.”
The Southport Champion was originally launched following the demise of another title in the town, the Southport Globe. It later launched sister titles covering neighbouring towns including Formby, Maghull, Crosby, Bootle, Ormskirk and Skelmersdale, at one stage reaching more than 165,000 homes.
