A spate of takeovers in recent years has greatly concentrated British regional and local newspaper ownership. Twenty publishers now account for 85 per cent of all regional press titles in Britain. Most national daily newspaper publishers also own regional weeklies. The Trinity Mirror group, for example, accounts for 250 titles, although this year (2007) it plans to find a buyer for over 100 newspapers in the Midlands, London and the South East, whilst retaining its titles in Scotland, Wales and the North of England. Nearest rivals Johnston Press (the second biggest local newspaper publisher in the UK) and Newsquest own more than 400 papers between them. Newsquest's 'ThisIs...' news sites are listed here. Regional publisher Archant owns 100 newspapers (4 daily, and 96 weekly, of which about half are 'free sheets'.
*Johnston Press now owns Regional Independent Media (RIM) after agreement reached by both publishers in Edinburgh on 12 April 2002.
+ Dimbleby Group acquired by Newsquest
