A weekly editor has told readers that they are “far more likely” to see his staff out and about on their patch after their office closes this week.
As reported by HTFP in January, the Harborough Mail offices are being closed by publisher Johnston Press on Friday.
The move is part of the growing trend among publishers towards mobile working, with the intention that reporters will spend more time in the community.
As well as the Mail, the idea is piloted on JP’s Hemel Hempstead Gazette while Trinity Mirror recently announced a similar experiment with the Crewe Chronicle.
In his weekly column, Harborough Mail editor Neil Pickford said the paper’s commitment to its patch would not change.
Wrote Neil: “It is 160 years since the forerunner of this newspaper was set up with the intention of informing and entertaining the people of Market Harborough and the surrounding district.
“Times, and technology, have undoubtedly changed, but the Mail’s commitment to the district remains.
“The reality is that the number of people who actually come to see us in our office make it inviable to continue to be open to personal callers. But we are available by appointment, by phone, by email and by social media.
“And the other reality is you are far more likely to see us out and about than ever before.”
The Corby office of the Kettering-based Northants Telegraph is also closing.
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“And the other reality is you are far more likely to see us out and about than ever before.”
Possibly begging for spare change to be able to use some coffee shop’s wi-fi
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“A weekly editor has told readers that they are “far more likely” to see his staff out and about on their patch after their office closes this week.” – park benches, churchyards, subways . . .
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Is Neil one of the JP editors who will this week be saying goodbye to experienced, professional journalists and photographers who, after many years service to their employers, readers and the advertisers too, take what could be the last chance of a decent VR?
Not surprisingly I don’t think this features in many Editor’s weekly columns.
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What absolute PR drivel.
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