A Northcliffe-owned weekly in Kent is to retain a base on its patch despite most of its staff moving to a neighbouring town.

The Sevenoaks Chronicle is leaving its High Street office and moving to the Tunbridge Wells headquarters of sister title the Kent and Sussex Courier

However it is also opening a new town centre office in Sevenoaks at Lime Tree Walk Business Centre which will be a base for reporters and a drop-in for advertising staff and photographers.

An article in last week’s edition of the Chronicle advised members of the public they would need to “phone ahead” to make appointments with reporters at the new office. which will be open from Friday.

The High Street premises opened in 1983 and according to last week’s story have become “increasingly less fit for purpose.”

Editor Roger Kasper said:  “The media industry is changing and the Choronicle, like many other businesses, is adapting to the demands of the market.

“Our new office will ensure we continue to serve the needs of Sevenoaks and ensure we have a strong presence in the town.

“There will always be a reporter on patch, but they could be out and about on stories so please make sure you ring ahead if you need to discuss a story.”

Staff of the Chronicle and the Courier are currently being merged as part of the ongoing restructure of all Northcliffe’s South East weeklies.

The restucture is expected to lead to the loss of around 38 jobs across the whole region.