Aberdeen Live is to close as part of a major restructuring at publisher Reach which will result in the net loss of around 160 editorial jobs.
Reach plans to remove around 220 journalism roles while creating more than 60 new positions, as it responds to falling online search traffic and advertising revenues. Aberdeen Live, KentLive and GalwayBeo will all close.
Chief content officer David Higgerson told Press Gazette: “This is not a reflection of the work done on these titles, or the commitment of the journalists on them. The decision is based on our market position in these areas.
“In almost every market we operate in, locally, we are the dominant publisher, even after the page view declines we have seen this year. This is not the case in these three markets, which is why we are taking the decision to exit them, while focusing efforts on the markets where we make the greatest impact.”
Reach’s latest half-year results showed overall revenues down 9%, digital revenues down 11.4% and page views falling 40% year-on-year.
NUJ general secretary Laura Davison said: “These cuts will have a direct impact on public access to news, with the closure of three online titles exacerbating the UK and Ireland's local news drought and doing a disservice to readers.”