Reach plc to shut Aberdeen Live amid wider editorial job cuts

Reach plc confirmed that Aberdeen Live will cease operations, joining Kent Live and Galway Beo in a wave of closures tied to a broader editorial downsizing. The company aims to remove roughly 220 newsroom jobs while simultaneously creating more than 60 new editorial posts aimed at boosting digital subscriptions and longer-form video. Chief content officer David Higgerson attributed the moves to a sharp decline in page-view traffic, especially from Google, and heightened competition from one outlet’s local output.

He stressed that the decision reflects market position rather than the quality of journalism at the affected titles. Reach’s staff numbers have fallen from 4,658 in 2022 to 3,423 by the end of 2025, with editorial staff dropping by 1,235 roles. The National Union of Journalists has been asked to comment on the plan.