<p><span class="m_first-letter m_first-letter--flagged">H</span>edge funds and restructuring experts are developing plans for a major consolidation of Britain&rsquo;s local newspaper industry, using the debt struggles of The Yorkshire Post publisher&nbsp;<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/05/15/johnston-press-backs-bonus-boost-bosses-debt-pressures-increase/">Johnston Press</a>&nbsp;as a catalyst.</p> <p>The company&rsquo;s lenders are understood to be in talks with management and shareholders about pursuing potential mergers with rivals including Trinity Mirror and Newsquest, which is owned by the US newspaper group Gannett.</p>