Tameside Reporter facing closure after 157 years!

The independently-owned Tameside Reporter, which is owned by Reporter & Chronicle Newspapers Ltd, is facing closure after 157 years of being in business.
Several weeks ago, staff working for the newspaper were summoned to a meeting and told that because of financial difficulties, the paper might have to cease trading, and that staff might be made redundant. Staff who might be facing redundancy, include the editor Nigel Skinner, the deputy editor Chris Maxwell, four jounalists, and the newspapers photographer.
According to a report on the journalist website 'HoldtheFrontPage', the newspaper was put up for sale a month ago, and is looking for a buyer.
The newspaper which was first established in 1855, was known for many years as the Ashton-under-Lyne Weekly Reporter. In 1980, the newspaper was bought by United Newspapers and since 1997, has been owned by Reporter & Chronicle Newspapers Ltd, a company set up by Martin Lusby and Barrie Holden.
It is rumoured that the local housing company 'New Charter Housing Ltd', which is based in Tameside and which now owns and runs Tameside Council's former housing stock, has expressed an interest in buying the Tameside Reporter. Some people might find it strange that a housing company with no experience of running a newspaper and with very close links to Tameside Council, would want to buy a newspaper that is in financial difficulties. Yet New Charter Housing, seem keen on diversifying into other areas. Only recently, the housing company, bought Tameside Radio which is also based in Ashton-under-Lyne.