Publishing Group Johnston Press has been told to expect revenue for the first 6 months of 2015 to fall by 5%.

Regional publishing group Johnston Press has been informed that it should expect total revenue for the 6 months to 4th July 2015 to fall by around 5%.

This is expected to be officially revealed when the company's half year results are published.

Johnston Press has noted that there was a 'slowdown in general trading' in the time period, in a statement which also said that a 'number of national and local advertisers chose to reduce or delay their spend in both print and online'.

In the 26 weeks to July 2015, Johnston Press is expected to report a revenue fall of 5% year on year, which is more than the 4.3% fall experienced in the same period the previous year.

Total advertising revenue is expected to fall 5%, compared to the 4.6% loss for the same period the previous year, while circulation revenue is expected to fall by 5.5%, compared to the 1.7% fall experienced in the same period for the previous year.

“Trading conditions in the first half of 2015 have undoubtedly been challenging, especially in the period around the General Election – a time when there was also a high degree of uncertainty in the wider market. Whilst we expect this will have an impact on profit both at the half year and the full year, there are positive indicators coming through with digital growth and continued strong cash flow.” said Ashley Highfield, chief executive.