The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has invited bids for a new
free newspaper to be distributed on the London train and tube stations.
free newspaper to be distributed on the London train and tube stations.
The move suggests he is confident he can break the ten-year
contract between Associated Newspapers and London Transport to
exclusively distribute Metro.
contract between Associated Newspapers and London Transport to
exclusively distribute Metro.
Livingstone is to place a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union inviting expressions of interest.
He said: ‘For the past six years Associated
Newspapers have distributed the Metro in the morning. It’s a matter of
public record that other newspaper businesses would be willing to
distribute a free afternoon paper and might even pay more than we are
getting for the Metro deal.
Newspapers have distributed the Metro in the morning. It’s a matter of
public record that other newspaper businesses would be willing to
distribute a free afternoon paper and might even pay more than we are
getting for the Metro deal.
‘All newspaper groups will now have a formal
opportunity to let us know that they are interested. Any additional
money from a new deal would be invested in further improvements to the
Tube.”
opportunity to let us know that they are interested. Any additional
money from a new deal would be invested in further improvements to the
Tube.”
The move pre-empts a long-running Office of Fair Trading inquiry into Associated Newspaper’s exclusive distribution deal.
Richard Desmond has been threatening to launch a
free London newspaper for two years. In May 2003 he lodged a complaint
with the OFT, saying Associated Newspapers’ distribution deal for Metro
created an unfair monopoly.
free London newspaper for two years. In May 2003 he lodged a complaint
with the OFT, saying Associated Newspapers’ distribution deal for Metro
created an unfair monopoly.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog