Regional publisher Newsquest has confirmed the loss of six subbing posts which were under threat as a result of a production hub switch.

As reported last month, the publisher is moving the production of its Sussex titles including Brighton daily The Argus to its subbing unit in Weymouth, Dorset.

It means the loss of six full-time roles at the company’s subbing department in Southampton where The Argus is currently put together.

The job losses were confirmed in an announcement given to staff on Monday by Ian Murray, editor-in-chief of Southampton’s Southern Daily Echo.

It read:  “Following the announcement on 28 March 2014, which advised that in order to improve operational efficiency within the Newsquest Sussex business and to reduce costs, Brighton (Newsquest Sussex Limited) proposed to transfer their sub editing production contract with Southampton to the Weymouth (Newquest Media (Southern) Limited) sub editing unit in Dorset.

“I can confirm that this proposal has been accepted and as a result, I can confirm that there will be an unfortunate loss of approximately 6FTE from the current sub editing and design posts in the Southampton department.

“I would like to thank you for your patience and understanding during this consultation process and your continued hard work during the period.”

The National Union of Journalists has previously condemned the proposals.

National organiser Laura Davison said last month: “We know from experience elsewhere that shifting subbing further away from the communities the papers serve doesn’t work.”