12 jobs at risk as Cambridge weekly closed

Up to 12 jobs are at risk of redundancy after Archant confirmed the closure of Cambridge First, a weekly newspaper which was launched by the publisher two years ago. In a statement Archant said publication had been an "editorial success" but was "not able to achieve the commercial market share necessary" and will be suspended with the final edition to be published on 29 March. As a result 12 roles, six of which are editorial, are said to be at risk of redundancy. The company says a consultation "will focus on ways to avoid redundancy, looking at opportunities to redeploy staff in other alternative suitable positions where possible". "Launched into a competitive market just as the economic downturn started to bite, Cambridge First has been a great editorial success, however it has not been able to achieve the commercial market share necessary to fund its continued publication," managing director for Archant Anglia Johnny Hustler said. "We believe that by taking this decision our resources can be focused on our more established titles in the Archant Herts & Cambs portfolio, ensuring that we maintain and improve our performance in areas where our market position is stronger."