Trinity Mirror considers split into nationals and regionals

According to reports, the possibility of dividing the publisher's business has been prompted by NM Rothschild, which is presenting the findings of its quarterly review to the Trinity Mirror board today.

It is understood that if such a decision were to go ahead, Trinity Mirror would effectively separate its 240 regional UK titles, which include The Western Mail, Liverpool Echo and Birmingham Mail, from its national newspapers, which include the Daily Mirror, the Sunday Mirror and The Daily Record into two quoted businesses.

The splitting of the regional and national newspaper businesses effectively turns back the clock to July 1999 when then regional newspaper publisher Trinity and Mirror Group agreed a £2bn merger to create the UK's largest combined national and regional newspaper group. 

It is not the first time there have been calls or proposals for a break-up of business on the table. Two years ago, one of the biggest Trinity Mirror shareholders, the US fund Tweedy Browne, called for a break-up of the group.

There has been speculation for some time that Trinity Mirror was considering the possibility of selling off its national titles, including the Daily Mirror and the Racing Post, in an attempt to realise shareholder value in the business.

Last month, the publisher received a renewed £550m offer for the Daily Mirror from millionaire businessman Marcus Evans, who previously bid between £700m and £800m in 2004.

A spokesperson for Trinity Mirror could not be contacted for comment about the reports.

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This article was first published on brandrepublic.com