Town & Country UK magazine to close as publisher Hearst slashes jobs
Hearst launched the British version of Town (Getty Images for Hearst)
Town & Country UK magazine is set to fold as part of cost-cutting operation at publisher Hearst that will see up to a fifth of UK staff made redundant.
The luxury title, the British version of which was first published in 2014, is set to be scrapped as the company adapts to a decline in print media consumption.
The proposed move will also mean up to one in five UK staff face redundancy or will have their roles pooled. It is understood employees will be offered enhanced redundancy packages.
Cosmopolitan publisher cuts almost 200 jobs
Hearst UK has put a fifth of its workforce under threat as the magazine publisher moves to overhaul the business
The publisher behind magazines including
Good Housekeeping and
Cosmopolitan has put almost 200 jobs under threat - close to a fifth of its UK workforce.
Hearst UK said changes in consumer behaviour and media consumption following the Covid crisis had prompted an overhaul of the business.
The restructure will result in the closure of the UK edition of
Town & Country magazine, while the nutrition and health advice website NetDoctor has been put up for sale.
It is understood voluntary redundancy packages have been offered to staff as part of the process. Some magazine titles will also have a lower print run.
December 3, 2020
Hearst UK publishes magazines including Cosmopolitan, Elle, Red, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s Bazaar, Prima, Men’s Health and Women’s Health.
Hearst UK has got through the Covid-19 pandemic so far without making any staff redundant or using the Government furlough scheme.
But staff were told on Thursday afternoon that one in five staff would see their roles closed or pooled under new proposals and that enhanced voluntary redundancy packages will be offered.
Staff were told that although the company is in a strong position it needs to transform into a more modern organisation and invest in growth areas because of the way the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated consumer trends.
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