The Times, that venerable UK tabloid, is flogging off its upmarket literary, education and higher education supplements.

According to a News Limited insider, the process will come to a head during the second week of this month (September) when the preferred bidder may be identified. Presumably the information process that employers are required to go through with employees under UK law will start around then.

Of course it is possible that no preferred bidder will emerge. News International would then have the choice of seeking a second round of expressions of interest from other parties, or of letting the issue quietly drop.

If a preferred bidder is identified, opinions within the company vary on how long the next stage of the process may take. Some suggest it will be by the end of October – others equally well informed take the view that it may be the end of the year.

Additional facts that have come to light:

  1. The present premises (Admiral House) form part of the package.
  2. It is likely that News International will continue to print and distribute the titles under a contract to be negotiated as part of the sale.

The expectation is that any purchaser will seek to make the titles even more profitable with a view to selling on in four-five years.