Johnston Press has published a trading update for the third quarter of the year, showing that its total revenue was down 7%.
However, the board stated that it was confident that full year results would be in line with expectations.
Following the pattern across the sector, its digital division remained strong, with revenues up 16% over the quarter.
That was led by the Yorkshire Evening Post, which helped it achieve record web traffic over the period. The YEP has had a 64% increase year on year.
Print advertising (excluding classifieds) was down 8%, circulation also fell 4%. Contract print revenues were up 8%.
The group pointed to a successful Saturday relaunch of the Lancashire Post, which saw a 3% increase in sales.
Johnston stated that it had completed its “strategic sales change programme” which has seen 60% of its advertising accounts move into tele-sales, based out of Sheffield. They will now be moving to new offices to accommodate growth.
“Our key strategic priorities of continuing the success of the i newspaper and growing digital revenues have both shown strong gains during the period,” stated Ashley Highfield, CEO of Johnston Press.
