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     overview

Archant (formerly known as Eastern Counties Newspapers Group) is active in UK newspaper and magazine publishing, contract printing and internet activity. As of 2005 it embraced 85 weekly newspapers, 75 magazines and 120 websites

Group turnover as of 2004 was £185.6 million

It traces its history, outlined here, to the 1845 launch of the Norwich-based Norfolk News.

The modern group reflects ongoing consolidation among provincial UK newspapers, with for example the 1969 merger between Eastern Counties Newspapers and the East Anglian Daily Times Company being followed by acquisitions in the North West, Cotswolds, South and South East of England, in Eire and in France.

In 2004 it bought 27 local papers in London (including the Islington Gazette and the Kensington Times) from INM in a £62m deal.

In 2005 Archant paid £6.1m for the local magazine division of Highbury House, comprising the six Hill Lifestyle magazines (for upmarket areas of London such as Hampstead) and three Property Mart advertising-driven titles in west Essex, south Essex and east London.

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