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Editor steps down after almost 18 years with bi-weekly newspaper

Hannah WalkerThe editor of a bi-weekly newspaper has stepped down after 17 years in charge as her colleagues prepare to move offices.

Hannah Walker, left, says she feels “incredibly lucky” to have edited the South London Press and its sister title the Greenwich Mercury, having served as editor-in-chief of both titles since 2000.

During her tenure Hannah has worked on a number of award-winning campaigns, but feels now is the “right time” to move on.

It comes as her SLP and Mercury colleagues move into new offices in Rathmore Road, Charlton, having been based on Streatham High Road since 2013.

Reflecting on her time working on what she described as “one of the toughest patches in the country”, Hannah told HTFP: “I’ve worked on major stories and major campaigns and throughout my time I’ve managed to work with wonderful people in the community.”

She added: “I’m lucky because I’ve always had a really good team of people.

“We’ve knocked on Downing Street’s door countless time and we’ve managed to get decision makers to make U-turns. I just feel incredibly lucky, I live locally and I’ve raised my family here so it’s in the blood.”

Last month the SLP was sold to a new owner, Romford-based leaflet distribution firm Street Runners Ltd, having gone into adminstration earlier this year, and Hannah says the switch, coupled with the office move, felt to her like a “natural break” for her to move on.

Of her future plans, she said: “This is a good time for me to move. I’m very open-minded and it’s likely to be a career in communications.

“I’m really positive and I’ve always thought it’s really important you can take the next project and champion it.”

Hannah began her career as a traineer reporter on the Solhull News and Walsall Observer in 1998, moving to the Staffordshire Newsletter as a senior three years later.

In 1992, she became deputy editor of the Rugby Observer before moving to take on the same role at the Northampton Mercury a year later.

She then took on the Mercury’s editorship, before moving to edit East London and Essex-based newspaper series the Yellow Advertiser in 1998.

Two years later, she took on the role at the SLP and Mercury.

2 comments

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  • August 27, 2017 at 9:36 am
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    Good luck to Hannah. she’s done a great job on the SLP over the years.

    One observation though, after reading many articles on HTFP. Funny how so many journalists have aa negative view or even a dislike of PR people and press officers…until they decide to become one.

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  • August 29, 2017 at 12:03 pm
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    Pete
    True and it’s no different to those belittling competitor publications until they are laid off, culled or leave then they suddenly see the light and either join them or tell all about how bad things really were there. Part of the fear culture many work under seeing leaving as a happy release
    That’s life

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