Jobs threat at magazine firm

Wednesday 22nd April 2009, 10:30AM BST.

newspapersAlmost 100 jobs at Shrewsbury newspaper and magazine distribution firm Dawson News are under threat after the company lost a series of high-profile contracts, bosses said today.

The 97 employees include management, clerical staff, warehouse operators and drivers at the branch in March Way on the Battlefield Enterprise Park.

The firm, which has branches across the UK, said 2,800 jobs were at risk nationally.

Dawson News says recent developments in the industry have created a situation in which the distribution of newspapers and magazines could be controlled by two regional monopolies, Menzies and Smiths.

Now Peter Harris, chief executive of Dawson Holdings PLC, is calling on MPs and the Office of Fair Trading to act before the jobs are lost. He said the firm had contracts until September and into the beginning of 2010.

“With the future of Dawson jobs on the line, I felt that it was important to try to demonstrate to the local communities that will be affected what is happening in our industry and why,” he said.

“We priced our bids for the contracts very aggressively and would be interested to know how we were unable to compete. I would think the OFT would also be interested.”



Free e-Supplements

TWITTER

Shropshire Star on Twitter Shropshire Star on Twitter

Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.

Lifestyle

Interactive Dining Out map Interactive Dining Out map

Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.

Entertainment

All the film reviews All the film reviews

Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.

OUR NEW APP

Get the new Shropshire Star app Get the new Shropshire Star app

Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.