Archant East London & Essex staff have moved offices following the company’s decision to demolish the division’s present headquarters at High Road, Ilford, and replace it with a new £2.5m publishing centre for the 21st century.

The new building will be completed next spring and until then the 126 staff who work on the Recorder and Herald series of weekly newspapers will be relocated in temporary premises opposite the current site.

The Recorder moved to the edge of Seven Kings in 1955 to re-house a rotary press, heralding a new era in newspaper production for the group, which was founded in 1898.

The group’s three main paid-for Recorder titles – Ilford, Newham and Romford – were all printed there until the process was contracted out in the late 1980s.

The old building, with a prominent clock tower, became a landmark at an end of the town that has often been neglected. The new building will help with the regeneration of the area.

Paul Thompson, regional director for Archant East London and Essex, said: “This is a significant moment in the history of the company, marking as it does the first stage of a two-stage move over the coming year which sees the significant upgrading of the working environment at Recorder House.

“We are delighted to be staying in the Ilford area and we are sure that our new and futuristic building will continue to be recognised as a local landmark and one which the community will be proud to be associated with.

“Everyone involved is excited by the prospects of the new building whilst naturally tinged with sadness at the passing of the current building which has witnessed the consistent development of the business over many years.”

Ilford Recorder editor Chris Carter said: “It’s an exciting project and one which I think will bring a boost to the area.

“There are some pangs of regret at seeing the end of the building in which so many have worked over the years and which has seen the establishment of the Recorder as a major player in the community. But everyone is looking forward to the super new premises planned for next year.”

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