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Journalists forced to work from pub after office break-in

Journalists at a weekly newspaper had to work from a pub yesterday after a break in at their offices.

Staff at the Doncaster Free Press decamped to a bar next to their Printing Office Street headquarters yesterday morning after discovering its front door buckled.

The door appeared to have been forced overnight, leaving workers stranded outside.

Police and a locksmith were called to the premises, which was closed to the public as a result.

Meanwhile the staff took refuge at Wetherspoon’s outlet The Old Angel, next door to the paper’s offices on the corner of Cleveland Street and Printing Office Street.

Free Press chief reporter Darren Burke tweeted the picture below following the incident with the words: “Slightly different venue for @DonnyFreePress staff this morning after office break-in.”

Free Press chief reporter Darren Burke tweeted the above photo following the incident

A story on the newspaper’s website reads: “Staff turning up for the work discovered the front door buckled. It appears to have been forced – leaving workers stranded outside.

“Police and maintenance workers have been called to the offices, which the Free Press moved into just over two years ago.

“During the disruption, staff will not be able to answer telephone calls, emails or public callers to the office. We apologise for the inconvenience.

“Journalists and advertising staff are attempting to work remotely while a locksmith is called to carry out repairs to the door.”

Staff returned to the office at around 11am.

8 comments

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  • March 16, 2016 at 10:09 am
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    Wouldn’t have been any problem for staff to get in if it had happened in the Sunny Bar days!

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  • March 16, 2016 at 10:28 am
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    In my newspaper days at least 50 per cent of my work was done in the pub!

    Not always with the approval of editors.

    One evening paper (no names) had a short cut through its back yard to the pub next door, which was also widely used by local trawlermen (clue?).

    There was a passageway with a large window overlooking the yard and the editor used to stand in the passage around lunchtime to see who was going next door.

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  • March 16, 2016 at 12:26 pm
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    Nothing stronger than coffee was consumed yesterday. However, occasional beverages may have been taken in there on other occasions…

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  • March 16, 2016 at 2:24 pm
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    Ah, a return to the good old days….
    Nothing new under the Sun. Or the Red Lion. Or the Black Bull. Or the Old Angel…. 😉

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