A regional daily has begun the search for new offices after a bus company agreed to purchase its current base.

The Argus has agreed to sell its offices at Hollingbury on the outskirts of the city to Brighton and Hove Bus Company, which plans to demolish half of the current site and create a new depot.

This means the Argus is now looking for alternative premises in the city which are “more suitable” to the business.

Under the deal, which is subject to planning consent, the bus company will move its staff to the Argus’ site on Crowhurst Road, while its current depot will be transformed into a development of homes, offices and a leisure complex.

In a story on the paper’s website, an Argus spokesman said: “The bus company’s interest in Argus House enables us to look for alternative premises that are more suitable to our business.

“That search will centre on Brighton, a city we have been proud to serve for more than 130 years and will continue to do so for many more years to come.”

It is understood the Argus’ disused printing press will be dismantled and sold as scrap. The press has not been used since 2009, when it was closed by parent company Newsquest and printing of the regional daily moved to Southampton.

The plans means the bus company will move around 450 staff who are currently based at its Conway Street headquarters to the Argus’ site, where the new depot will be built by Matsim Properties Ltd. It also plans to create 50 new jobs there.

Roger French, managing director of the bus company, said it has agreed terms to purchase the long leasehold interest of Argus House because its current base is no longer big enough.

He said: “This is a very exciting opportunity which will enable us to invest in the expansion of our bus network and to create jobs in the city.”