the gazette's publisher, metropress, was acquired by the daily mail and general trust in 1994. the company adapted to the internet, creating the-saleroom.com, before, in 2006, launching a live bidding platform, the latest step in its transition from print to an internet offering. in october 2008, when the business had 53 staff and a turnover of £6 million, it was the subject of a management buyout backed by private equity house matrix (today mobeus equity partners). the deal also saw the company divest three us-based publications "antiqueweek", "antiquewest" and "auction exchange".