The i newspaper could be sold as publisher JPIMedia considers auctioning assets
The owners of JPIMedia, formerly Johnston Press, are considering auctioning off parts or all of the business, which owns titles including the i newspaper and The Scotsman, after purchasing the publisher just last year.
The consortium of hedge funds that own the company are considering a strategic review that could see a number of its assets sold off, according to Sky News.
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Advisers are currently being looked at and one could be appointed as soon as next week.
Valuations of regional titles are expected to be disappointing and reflect the increasing competition from online, free rivals.
It means an anxious wait for the company's 2000 employees, who just last November had to contend with fears over job security when Johnston Press was forced to call in administrators.
The most likely outcome will see the i sold separately, while the other titles are sold in a group, a City insider told Sky News.
The i was founded in 2012 by the owners of The Independent, but could be sold to the Daily Mail & General Trust, which showed interest late last year.
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Despite being its most prized asset, the circulation of the paper was down nine per cent in January this year compared with last at 234,000 copies.
JPIMedia has so far declined to comment, but a source close to the company has insisted that it is yet to make any formal decisions about its future as it undertakes a review of the possible options.