Archant Norfolk staff have been celebrating the opening of new offices and a shop in Dereham.

Reporters and sales reps working on the Eastern Daily Press and the Dereham and Fakenham Times have now moved into the heart of the local community in a newly refurbished 18th century building in the high street.

Reporters Ian Clarke, Elaine Maslin and Robyn Greenacre are based upstairs along with senior sales representatives Rene Kendal and Richard Tree and Margaret Duffield, who work in sales support.

The building was a former toyshop, dating back to the early 1940s. And the new offices were officially opened by legendary local sisters Cynthia and Thelma Bond, who continued to run the shop until about two years ago. They cut a ribbon during a short opening ceremony attended by about 60 guests.

The building has now been named Bond House after the family business.

EDP editor Peter Franzen said: "We have a very long association with Dereham and we realise how the important the town is for us.

"Our sister paper the Dereham and Fakenham Times has been going since 1880 and we hope to be still be going in Dereham in another 128 years!"

A reunion is now being organised for all staff who have ever worked at the Dereham office.

It will be on Wednesday. Arrangements are being finalised but the idea is to meet at the office so people can look round the new premises and also hopefully visit the old building next door. A room is being hired to allow everyone to get together for a good old reminisce later on.

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