The Press Association has agreed to buy The Editorial Centre in Hastings.

The national news agency has bought an initial 50 per cent stake in the training, consultancy and design company, and has an option to buy the remaining shares at a later date.

The move will see PA expanding on the training services that the centre currently offers.

And as well as continuing to operate from Hastings, it will also have fully equipped training centres at the agency’s offices in London and Howden, East Yorkshire.

Paul Potts, chief executive and editor-in-chief of PA said: “Through this investment in The Editorial Centre we are delighted to be able to reinforce our commitment to training and extend our range of services.”

Former Northern Echo editor Peter Sands, who bought The Editorial Centre from Westminster Press in 1995, will continue as its managing director.

He said: “We have already built up a profitable and highly regarded training, consultancy and design service. Now we will be able to use The Press Association’s considerable resources, expertise and contacts and offer newspapers, magazines and broadcasters the best quality training in every discipline.

“Having centres in Yorkshire and in central London, as well as in Hastings, is a huge bonus.

“It means we will be able to deliver a wider range of courses, more convenient venues, access to live and topical training material, up-to-date equipment and the expertise of a number of specialists.

“It is a logical fit. PA offers quality services to the industry and so do we. We are also looking to expand our services for national newspapers, magazines, overseas customers and non-media companies.

“The aim is to say to the industry whatever you need, we can deliver.”

The Editorial Centre’s pre-entry scheme trains journalists for Archant, Bristol United Press, The Kent Messenger Group and Yattendon’s newspapers, among others.

It also offers a comprehensive senior training programme, runs newspaper conferences, publishes newsletters and has redesigned more than 50 titles.

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