THE publisher of the Belfast Telegraph is to close its printing operation in Newry, it has been announced.
Mediahuis Ireland, which also publishes titles including the Irish Independent, has said the decision to shut the plant was the result of rising prices such as distribution costs.
The plant, which is based at Newry's Carnbane Industrial Estate, is expected to fully close by the beginning of next year.
Details of how many jobs could be impacted have not yet been revealed.
A statement from the company said the move was also prompted by "difficulties with securing the necessary skillsets and resources".
The printing of the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent, and a number of regional titles will shift to the Irish Times printing plant in Dublin following a new deal.
Two Mediahuis titles, the Herald and Sunday World, are already being printed at the Irish Times plant.
The firm said Dublin was "a more favourable location in terms of optimising the distribution network" for the Irish Independent.
Mediahuis announced it was closing its own Dublin printing plant in 2019 in order to shift printing to Newry.
Meanwhile, the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life will continue to be printed in the north with a third-party provider.
Mediahuis Ireland CEO Peter Vandermeersch told staff yesterday in a statement: "Our priority is on protecting the future of our business by responding to the changing needs of our industry, and to ensure a future sustainable publishing model as we continue our transition to a digital focused news organisation."