Publishing & Digital Media Businesses For Sale
We can e-mail details to you about any of the businesses listed for sale and can post out sample copies, media packs or catalogues. If you have not previously completed one of our confidentiality agreements please download a WORD form  HERE  then complete and return the form by post. Should you then wish to explore any of the businesses further we can arrange meetings or telephone discussions with the owners, obtain additional figures or answer other queries.

Nottinghamshire Lifestyle Magazine

£224K turnover. Bi monthly. Started 2002. Target readership is affluent professionals aged 25-50. Edtorial content is lifestyle covering entertainment, fashion, beauty, grooming, home & living, property, food & drink, motors & sport plus social events. Written by 6 freelance staff. 1 F/T designer. 20,000 copies distributed free via 650 outlets across Nottinghamshire. Outlets include health clubs, golf clubs, salons, spas, leisure complexes, restaurants, bars, cafes and retailers. Advertisers are bars & restaurants, fashion & beauty plus home & living. 95% display advertising. Advertising sold by 2 F/T staff. The owners work full time in the business. Traffic statistics are available for the number of website users. The website could be expanded and advertising could be sold on it. An e-mail bulletin is sent bi-monthly. A new owner could introduce retail sales, targeted classified sections, a larger website, subscription sales, affiliate partners, an annual directory, enlarged distribution area or greater publication frequency. Existing strong relationships with local radio could present considerable marketing opportunities. The current owners are willing to provide a handover period. Guide price £250K.

Children's Pop Up Book Publisher & Packager

£190K turnover. Packager - publisher of children’s pop-up and novelty books both fiction and non fiction. 27 books published. 4 currently in print. 5 titles have been produced but not yet published. Started in 1992. £7K UK sales. £183K international sales. Cost price of stock £7K. Various authors. The firm owns all copyrights. Books are marketed via book fairs, sales trips and e-mail. The owner works full time in the business. No website. An e-mail bulletin is sent to clients following book fairs. A new owner could publish 5 children’s titles per year at the top end of the market, build an exciting list for boys, develop the list of ideas for titles and formats that has been built up but not exploited, add further titles to existing successful formats, develop a pre-school series with characters that have animated film and toy product potential, develop pop-up or novelty books from existing material held by prospective partner/publisher. A strong partner could market the titles in the UK either through traditional outlets or on the web to exploit the potential of the titles. The owner is willing to work in the business following a sale. The owner will give consideration to offers for outright sale, joint ventures or other proposals for the continuation of the business.

Horse Racing Directory & Website

£230K turnover, part subscription sales and part advertising.  Published annually. Started 1960. Quality hardback
publication. Important title for bloodstock professionals and racing enthusiasts around the world. Includes listings of organisations and businesses around the world involved in the racing and breeding industry, racing and bloodstock reviews, analysis and race results. Target readership is the top end of the thoroughbred racing industry including stud farms, trainers, breeders, owners and racecourses. Editorial is racing and bloodstock reviews. Written by 1 P/T editor and 10 freelance staff. The title is designed by a freelance designer. Advertisers include stud farms, transport companies, insurance companies, racecourses and horse feed suppliers. Advertising is sold through a sales agency. The website attracts 25,000 visitors per month. It could be expanded, standalone advertising could be sold on it and a regular e-mail bulletin could be sent. A new owner could expand sales to the corporate gift market using personalised jackets. The owners wish to focus on growing their other publications. The current owners are willing to provide a handover period for a new owner. Guide price £350K.

Private Schools Magazine

£290K turnover. 3 issues per year - once per term. Started 1993. Target readership is parents of day pupils attending 300 South of England independent schools. Principal editorial content is lifestyle, health, educational and pastoral topics. Written free of charge by expert contributors such as doctors, headmasters, travel, food and sport specialists. Designed in house. 70,000 copies of each issue are produced and distributed free of charge through the schools. 200 copies per school. Advertisers are solicitors, dentists, travel companies, bespoke toy makers, golf clubs, upmarket retailers, sports, theatres and language tutors. 70% of advertisers in any one issue have advertised in the title before. 90% display advertising. 10% classified advertising. Advertising is sold by 4 part time staff. The owners do not spend time in the business on a daily basis. The website could be expanded and advertising could be sold on it. E-mail bulletins could be sent to subscribers. A new owner could distribute the title nationally. The owners wish to retire. The current owners are willing to provide a handover period for a new owner. Guide price £475K.

Motorway Drivers Travel Guide

£32K turnover. Travel guide offering motorists alternative services just off the main motorway network that are convenient but more varied and better value than service areas. Motorists can find products, services, points of interest or space away from the standard fare including quality meals, cheaper fuel, friendly character hotels, drinks in pub gardens, breaks for the kids, a walk for the dog and much more. The format is easy to follow in a handy size and makes essential journeys more pleasurable and sociable allowing drivers to call in on familiar chains or independent establishments. Started 2004. Advertisers have included national names and independent businesses. A buyer would receive an established product with an existing customer base, licences, rights, name, artwork & database, web domain name, trademark, logo and copyright material in the book, a network and database of existing advertisers, existing network of high street distributors and suppliers to high street shops, book stores plus continuing sales. Also licences, artwork, map layout sourced and ready for a revised guide, a stock of the guide retained for marketing/advertising of the next edition. Guide price £40K.

Ethical Shopping Guides Publisher

£150K. Four annual titles are published covering ethical shopping, ethical food and nutrition, green offices and green energy together with an ethical shopping portal plus an HQ website. Started 2001. The readership is buyers who are interested in choosing genuinely ethical companies - those which have the best corporate social responsibility records across environmental, animal welfare, human rights and human health criteria. The titles are written and researched by 2 part-time freelancers. Between 3,000 and 12,000 copies of each issue are produced. Copies are sold through chain bookshops, NGOs and the website. Only a handful of advertisers have been accepted. The annual revenue from advertising and the accreditation scheme is circa £100K already producing a high profit to turnover ratio. 90% of advertisers repeat their bookings. Advertising is sold by commission only staff. Without any marketing the website gets approximately 800,000 unique users per annum. An e-mail bulletin is sent every month. The most recently launched title is on track to produce annual turnover of £150K. Sector specific ethical guides could be launched about cars or travel. Guide price £550K

Computer Training Materials Publisher

£490K turnover. Pre tax profit £159K. Publisher of books and training materials on computing and ICT. 680 titles published. 480 currently in print. 200 discontinued. 85 titles in production but not yet published. Started 1987. Stock value at cost £20K. Books have predominantly been written by two employees and a director. The books are designed in-house or by an outside design house. Many sales are to repeat customers. Additional marketing is done using e-mailings and postal mailings to colleges, councils, universities, health sector, etc. The firm attends exhibitions. Some sales come via wholesalers and distributors whilst others are generated through a website. A new owner could expand into the schools and corporate markets and introduce a much bigger range of courseware within ICT. The international market could also be developed much further. The owners wish to retire. The current owners are willing to provide a brief handover period for a new owner. Guide price £600K.

Windows, Doors & Conservatories Magazine  

£263K turnover. Monthly. The target readership comprises installers, fabricators and manufacturers of products for doors, windows and conservatories, as well as the commercial buying sector, including house-builders, major architectural practices, hotel chains and local authorities. Principal editorial content comprises industry news, product news/information and case studies. The magazine is posted free of charge to recipients. 65% of advertising is display. 22% of advertising is classified. 13% of advertising is editorial chargeouts. A new owner could set up dedicated website, send out email bulletins with news and advertising or publish an annual directory/buyers’ guide. Owners wish to expand their other activities. Guide price £200K.

East Anglia Lifestyle Magazine

£325K turnover per annum based on current monthly trading at around £27K per issue. Started 2005. Editorial is produced by the owners plus freelance staff. The title is produced by an in house designer. Between 12 and 15,000 copies are produced, none are sold. 10,000 copies are distributed via supermarkets & other venues and 2 to 3,000 copies are distributed door to door to businesses in target towns in the region. 99% of advertising is display but there is scope to increase the number of classifieds. There are 3 F/T advertising sales staff. The owners work full time in the business in a variety of roles. Successful supplements have been produced and more are planned. There is great scope to introduce a website and e-mail bulletin to run alongside the title. A handover will be provided for a new owner. Guide price £195K.

Metal Finishing Magazine & Directory  

£157K turnover. Magazine £118K turnover. 6 issues per year. Editorial content is industry news, product news/information and case studies. 5,000 copies of each issue are produced. 80 copies are posted to subscribers. 4,750 copies are posted free of charge to recipients. The main types of advertisers are suppliers of plant and equipment, consumables and services for the metal finishing industry. 70% of advertising is display. 30% of advertising is classified. Directory £39K turnover. Annual. Editorial is a listing of suppliers of plant and equipment, consumables and services. The main types of advertisers are suppliers of plant and equipment, consumables and services for the metal finishing industry. 70% of advertising is display. 30% of advertising is classified. Email bulletins are sent to subscribers. Regular supplements covering different product types or industry solutions could be launched. Regular email bulletins carrying news and advertising could be sent to registered readers and website visitors. The owners wish to expand their other activities. The current owners are willing to provide a handover period for a new owner. Guide price £150K for magazine and directory.

Blinds & Awnings Magazine & Directory  

£233K turnover. Quarterly magazine £202K. The target readership comprises manufacturers through to retailers of blinds, awnings and shutters and also specifiers such as interior designers and architects. Principal editorial content comprises industry news, product news/information and case studies. 5,800 copies of each issue are produced. 45 subscribers. 5,450 copies are posted free to recipients. The main types of advertisers are manufacturers and distributors of blinds, awnings and shutters. 80% of advertising is display. 20% of advertising is classified. Annual directory. £31K turnover. 90% of advertising is display. 10% of advertising is classified - additional headings, logos and bold entries in the listings. The website could be expanded and advertising could be sold on it. Email bulletins can be sent to subscribers. A new owner could increase frequency to 6 issues per year, introduce regular supplements covering different product types or industry solutions. Regular email bulletins carrying news and advertising to registered readers and website visitors. Owners wish to expand their other activities. Handover period for a new owner. Guide price £300K for magazine and directory.

Recruitment Newspaper & Website

£790K turnover. Weekly. The target readership is blue collar and lower income level jobs and training candidates. The publication contains mainly advertising for jobs and training opportunities in Greater London. Editorial content is limited to a few tips and warnings for job seekers. 100,000 copies of each issue are produced split across the four regional editions, namely NE/NW/SE/SW London. The typical pick-up rate is around 80%. 100,000 copies are distributed free of charge through approximately 400 outlets comprising major supermarket chains, petrol stations and other smaller retail outlets in Greater London and the home counties (excluding central London). The main advertisers are employers, recruitment agencies, training companies, model agencies and companies employing homeworkers. Advertising is sold by 4 full time staff. A new owner could produce additional editions for other major conurbations around the country which would improve opportunities for revenue from national advertising campaigns, organise recruitment/training fairs/events, develop cross selling opportunities and packages between the website and the publication. Guide price £300K.

Power Generation Industry Directory  

£49K turnover. Annual publication. The title was first published in 1994. The target readership is companies, brokers, government and municipal agencies, selected associations and governing bodies connected with the power generation industry. Principal editorial content comprises a listing of suppliers and a product finder for equipment and services. The directory is posted free of charge to recipients. The main types of advertisers are suppliers. 87% of advertising is display. 13% of advertising is classified (additional headings, logos and bold entries in the listings). The owners wish to expand their other activities. The current owners are willing to provide a handover period for a new owner. Guide price £55K.

Aquaculture Feed Directory  

£35K turnover. Annual publication. The title was first published in 1997. The target readership is feed processors for the aquaculture industry and fish farms. Principal editorial content is a listing of suppliers and a product finder for ingredients, raw materials, additives, production machinery, plant and equipment for aquaculture feed processing. The directory is posted free of charge to recipients. The main types of advertisers are suppliers of ingredients, raw materials, additives, production machinery, plant and equipment. 88% of advertising is display. 12% of advertising is classified (additional headings, logos and bold entries in the listings). The owners wish to expand other activities of their business. The current owners are willing to provide a handover period for a new owner. Guide price £35K.

Antique Weapons and Ordnance Magazine  

£70K turnover. Bi-monthly publication. Started in 1994. The target readership is military historians, museum curators, auction house staff, private collectors, academic researchers and others interested in historical firearms. Principal editorial content is weapon reviews in a historical context, news, research, events, auctions, books and reviews. The title is produced by a managing editor who writes articles and commissions pieces from specialist contributors. The title has been designed by 1 freelance designer but the owners are about to bring this work in house. 4,500 copies of each issue are produced. 300 copies are posted free of charge to advertisers and advertising prospects. 3,000 copies are circulated through the UK and international newstrade. 700 copies are posted to subscribers. Advertisers are auction houses and antique arms dealers. 50% of advertisers go into every issue. 95% of advertising is display. Advertising is sold by 1 part-time staff member. A new owner could exploit the US market, build newsstand distribution and produce foreign language versions. The owners wish to focus their efforts on other publications. The current owners may be willing to provide a handover period for a new owner. Guide price £90K.  

Archery Magazine

£80K turnover. Bi-monthly publication. Started in 1995. Target readership is archers and clubs in the UK. Principle editorial content is news, events, stories and equipment reviews which are supplied by a number of contributors. The title is written by 1 part time staff member who commissions articles and pictures from various freelancers. The title is designed part-time by an in-house designer. 500 copies are sold through the newsagents and retailers. 800 copies are distributed free of charge through archery clubs. 650 copies are posted to subscribers. 400 copies are posted free of charge to recipients. The main advertisers are archery equipment companies. The annual revenue from advertising sales is £56K. 80% of advertisers go into every issue. 95% of advertisers in any one issue have advertised in the title before. 100% of advertising is display. Advertising is sold by one part-time staff member. An annual year planner is produced and this generates £5K. There is no website for the magazine. A new owner could increase newsstand sales and improve overseas distribution. The owners wish to focus their efforts on other publications. The current owners are willing to provide a handover period for a new owner. Guide price £105K.

Linux Computing Magazine

£400K turnover. Monthly magazine about the fast growing field of Linux computing. Started 2000. Readership includes IT professionals, programmers, developers, systems architects, system administrators, integrators, web developers and IT managers. Principal editorial content is news, analysis, reviews, how-to’s, case studies plus in depth features on industry trends, technological innovations and devices. The title is written by 1 F/T editor, 1 P/T sub editor and freelance staff. 25,000 copies of each issue are produced. 24,000 copies are sold through newsagents, retailers and foreign markets. 800 copies are posted to subscribers. There is potential to develop a larger subscriber base via a database of 24,000 individuals associated with the title. The main advertisers are web hosting companies and large corporate vendors. 60% of advertisers go into every issue. 90% of advertisers in any one issue have advertised before. 100% of advertising is display. Advertising is sold by the owners. An annual directory is ready to be produced. An e-mail bulletin has been sent weekly. Offers invited. The owners would consider an outright sale, licence agreement or joint venture deal.

Fund Management Magazine

£75K turnover. 2 issues per year. Started 1996. Under corporate ownership the title previously turned over £300K on 4 editions per year. Readership is fund and asset managers. Written by 1 P/T and 4 freelance staff. Designed by 1 P/T staff. 5,000 copies are posted free to recipients on controlled circulation. Potential to develop subscribers. Circulation could be restored to 10,000. The main types of advertisers are fund administrators, custodians, asset managers, financial service providers, financial IT and data providers, financial product manufacturers, major European financial institutions, index and ratings providers. 85% of advertising is display. Advertising is sold by 1 P/T staff. The owners work 25 hours per week in the business. There are no events associated with the title although an awards event could be launched. The publication could be restored to quarterly, turned bi monthly or monthly. The owner is currently running the title single handedly and does not have the resources available to rebuild the title back to full potential. She would like to work with a larger publisher and firmly believes that a turnover of £300K to £500K can be achieved. The owner is inviting offers for outright sale or joint venture proposals.

Tractor Magazine

£78K turnover. 6 issues per year. Started 1981. The target readership is enthusiasts of all ages whose interest is early tractors & implements, models and plant and machinery. Principal editorial content is all aspects involved in the collecting, restoration, preservation and running of older tractors for leisure. The title is written by 8 freelance staff. The title is designed by 1 freelancer. 11,000 copies of each issue are produced. 3,200 copies are sold through the newsagents and retailers. 1,250 copies are posted to subscribers. The main types of advertisers are those directly associated with aspects of the old tractor movement. The annual revenue from advertising sales is £12K. 75% of advertisers in any one issue have advertised in the title before. 90% of advertising is display. 10% of advertising is classified. Advertising is sold by 1 commission only staff member. The owner works full time on writing, photography, editing and promoting the magazine at shows. The website does include a database of searchable content. An e-mail bulletin could be sent to subscribers. The owner wishes to retire. The current owner is willing to provide a handover period for a new owner. Guide price £100K.

Graduate Recruitment Website & Magazine

£650K turnover. 7 issues per year. Started 1999. The target readership is final year graduates at UK universities. Principal editorial content is careers information. The title is written by 1 full time and 15 freelance staff. The title is designed by 1 F/T and 5 freelancers. 40,000 copies of each issue are produced. Although there are no subscribers at present there is potential to develop a subscriber base. The main advertisers are FTSE 100 companies. 60% of advertisers in any one issue have advertised in the title before. Advertising is sold by 3 full time staff. There are no yearbooks produced. The website attracts 3,000 users per month. The title has only recently started selling advertising on the website the current annual revenues from the site are £20K. The website could be greatly expanded and there are several established business models demonstrating how it could operate. The website could include a database of searchable content. An e-mail bulletin is sent to 30,000 subscribers. There are no events associated with the title. The owner wishes to pursue another venture. The current owner is willing to provide a handover period for a new owner. Guide price £1.1M.

Salon & Spa Trade Magazine

£125K turnover. 4 issues per year. Started 2003. Readership is owners of UK salons and spas. Editorial content is industry news and articles. Designed by freelance staff. 5,500 copies of each issue are produced and posted free of charge to recipients. 50 subscribers. Potential to substantially develop the subscriber base. The main types of advertisers are manufacturers and suppliers of beauty products, treatments and equipment. The owners work full time in the business on advertising sales. There are no events associated with the title. The owners wish to pursue another business venture. The current owners are willing to provide a handover period for a new owner. Offers invited.

Vehicle Industry Magazine

£160K turnover. Quarterly magazine for MOT testing stations. Started 1994. Principal editorial content is related to MOT test and regulations and MOT service and repair. The title is written by 1 part time and 1 freelance staff plus occasional commissioned writers. The title is designed by 1 part time staff. 2,500 copies of the magazine are produced and posted to subscribers and 18,500 copies of a supplement are produced and posted to non subscribers. The main types of advertisers are automotive service providers and suppliers. Over 40% of advertisers go into every issue. Over 80% of advertisers in any one issue have advertised in the title before. 99% of advertising is display whilst 1% of advertising is classified. Advertising is sold by 2 part time ad sales agency staff. The owners work part time looking after writing, production and processing subscriptions. The website attracts approx 500 daily hits. An e-mail bulletin could be sent to subscribers. A new owner could introduce a buyers guide or organise seminars. The owners wish to pursue another business venture. The current owners are willing to provide a handover period for a new owner or work in the business for a period after sale if necessary. Offers invited.