After enduring a seven-year decline that has resulted in well over £1bn in ad revenue bleeding out of regional newspapers, Daily Mail & General Trust last week hoisted the white flag over any ambition to be a long-term player in the embattled sector. The publisher admitted it is keen to offload Northcliffe Media, home to more than 100 daily and weekly regional titles from Hull to Bath, and has no desire to put "fresh capital" in and lead what it views as a necessary large-scale consolidation in the sector.

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