A second Sutton company has announced a major round of redundancies this week, proving the borough is feeling the effects of a national economic slump.

Reed Business Information (RBI) one of the biggest employers in Sutton, based in The Quadrant has announced 56 job losses.

Of the 100 or so titles RBI publishes, Freelance Informer, which has been running for 17 years, is closing, while IT Today will become a supplement for Computer Weekly.

National Union of Journalists representative for RBI Patric Cunnane said: "The amount of redundancies involving journalists has not yet been confirmed. Because more than 20 people have been proposed for redundancies, the company has to consult with staff representatives and the NUJ could contest the action."

Keith Jones, chief executive of Reed Business Information, said: "The difficult trading we have been facing since the spring has worsened in some markets in recent months.

"We deeply regret the need to implement job cuts but we have to respond to market conditions."

At the company's headquarters there will also be a complete restructure advertising for IT publications and 39 of the jobs lost will be within the computer group.

Other areas where the redundancies will occur are in the Reed Computer Group, Flight International magazine, recruitment sales, marketing alliances and business development.

November 30, 2001 11:00