Thames Valley law firm Blandy & Blandy has advised Higgs Group on the sale of the Henley Standard newspaper, and its associated titles, to independent newspaper publisher Baylis Media, based in Maidenhead.
The Henley Standard, first published in 1892, will continue to be based at Caxton House in Henley-on-Thames with Phil Simms as editor, and sit alongside Baylis Media’s other titles, the Maidenhead Advertiser and the Slough and Windsor Express.
The Higgs Group printing company remains unaffected and it has appointed Stuart Robinson as a director and board member.
Steve Luker, joint chairman, said that the Higgs Group has had a close association with Baylis for many years and is sure that the deal would allow the Henley Standard to continue to thrive.
He said: “We have come to understand Baylis Media’s commitment to publishing quality local news is a very close fit to ours.
“Like us, it values its staff, its local community and its customers.
“We are happy to have reached this agreement that we believe will give our publications the best chance to develop and prosper for many years to come.
“We are convinced that within the Baylis Group, the Henley Standard and all our publications will have a positive future.
“We would like to thank all our advertisers and readers for their support over the years. We would also like to thank all the staff involved with the Henley Standard, both current and past, for all their hard work and loyalty in producing an outstanding local newspaper over so many years.
“I would also like to extend our thanks to Blandy & Blandy for all their help and assistance with the transaction, including ensuring that the deal was completed on time.”
John Luker, life president of the Higgs Group, said: “As someone who first started working full-time for Higgs & Co in 1955, I am naturally a little sad that the Henley Standard will no longer be part of the family company.
“During that time, many local newspapers have been taken over by large groups and, while many tried to keep their identity, they undoubtedly lost their individuality. Although I retired from the board as long ago as 2008,
“I have always been proud that the Standard has continued for so long as an independent voice for Henley and its environs, due in no small measure to the efforts of successive editors and their loyal staff.
The new publishers are committed to maintaining the Henley-centric ethos of the paper and are proven supporters of genuine local journalism. I am confident that they will retain this special nature and I look forward to an exciting new era.”
Peter Sands, who chairs the trustees of the Louis Baylis Charitable Trust, which funded the purchase, said: “We, as a trust, are very focused on independent local journalism and its function within the communities they serve — to inform, support and, where necessary, to question and investigate on behalf of the people.
“We have a long tradition of serving the local areas in East Berkshire and we are now very pleased to extend that service to South Oxfordshire.
“I would also extend my thanks to the Luker family for their considerable efforts running the paper for so many years and for having the excellent foresight to hand over the stewardship of this important asset to Baylis Community Media.
Corporate partner, Peter Woolley, led the transaction for Blandy & Blandy, with support from Emma Ford (corporate solicitor), Tim Clark (employment partner) and Dayna Rodrigues (employment solicitor).
Peter Woolley added: “We are delighted to have advised longstanding client Higgs Group on the sale of the Henley Standard and various other titles, as part of the wider sale of Higgs Group’s publishing business.
“Like Blandy & Blandy, Higgs Group has a rich history, and has long-served the local area.
“We wish Higgs Group and Baylis all the best for the continued success of their respective businesses.”
