Johnston Press PLC Regulatory News (JPR)

20 Jun 2007 07:01

Johnston Press PLC20 June 2007 For Immediate Release 20 June 2007 Johnston Press plc Press Announcement PRE-CLOSE TRADING UPDATE Johnston Press plc issues the following trading update ahead of the announcementof the Group's interim results for the 26 weeks to 30 June 2007, scheduled for29 August 2007. Since our announcement on 7 March 2007 when we advised that like-for-likeadvertising revenues in the first 9 weeks for the UK were down year-on-year by2.9%, the rate of decline has continued to diminish despite a very slow Easterholiday period and the adverse impact of the parliamentary elections in Scotland. The equivalent figure, which includes digital, was a reduction of 2.3% for the5 months to 2 June 2007. This decline includes all acquisitions made in 2005 and2006. Advertising revenues in the Republic of Ireland grew by 10.5% in the sameperiod. Property remains the only print category of advertising to grow year-on-year,however, the overall decline in employment is now significantly lower with someregions seeing growth. Whilst revenues continue to fall in motors, display andother classifieds categories, the declines are less than those experienced inthe second half of last year. Digital revenues continue to show good growth, up 34.7% in the 5 months. Circulation revenues are ahead of last year, as are contract print revenues dueto the benefit of the external contracts being printed at Dinnington. This willcontinue into the second half as we commission the new press at Portsmouth. The revenue performance and outlook is consistent with that anticipated by theBoard at the start of the year and therefore we would expect a satisfactoryoutcome for the year as a whole. Contact:Tim Bowdler, Chief Executive orStuart Paterson, Chief Financial OfficerJohnston Press plc Tel: 0131 225 3361 Richard Oldworth/Suzanne BrocksBuchanan Communications Tel: 020 7466 5000 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange