Independent to cease as print edition

The Independent and Independent on Sunday newspapers are to cease print editions in March, the owner has said.

 

Announcing a move to a "digital-only future", ESI Media said there would be "some redundancies among editorial employees".

But it said there would also be 25 new "digital-content roles".

ESI has also confirmed it will sell the i newspaper to Johnston Press, subject to approval from Johnston's shareholders.

Evgeny Lebedev, ESI's owner, said: "This decision preserves the Independent brand and allows us to continue to invest in the high-quality editorial content that is attracting more and more readers to our online platforms."

The last print edition of the Independent will be published on Saturday 26 March, while the last Independent on Sunday will be on 20 March.