A regional daily is set to move to a new office once lockdown restrictions enable staff to do so safely.

The Worcester News has announced the location of its new office will be Redhill House, on London Road, Worcester.

Newsquest, the newspaper’s owner, agreed a deal last year to sell its current Berrow’s House home to the University of Worcester.

The News has been based at Berrow’s House, around two miles from Redhill House, since 1965.

Redhill House, the new home of the Worcester News

Julia Lancett, managing director of Newsquest Midlands South, said: “It’s an emotional farewell for staff present and past, readers and across the community as we say goodbye to our landmark (if not slightly decrepit!) building in Hylton Road that we have so fondly occupied over the past 50 years.

“We’ve seen so many changes over the years, largely linked to technological advances and finally the closure of the local press four years ago.

“The move is simple, we no longer need the 89,000 square feet we were rattling around in and we want to provide a more modern, comfortable and business conducive environment for the team.

“We also decided it was time for a new owner to really utilise the space and location and are delighted that the University of Worcester will do this.”

Berrow’s House also formerly hosted printing presses until summer 2016, when production moved to Oxford.

News audience and content editor Alicia Kelly said: “When I first started working at Berrow’s House in 2006, you could still hear the thrilling sound of the press churning in the basement of the building. On my way to the editorial department, I would often stop to watch pages hurtle past me, rolling around the huge machinery.

“Over the years the sound died away as huge technology changes streamlined printing until each newspaper no longer needed its own press. But as one thing dies, another comes to the forefront and so the web became the central engine through which the news room shared its words and images.

“In a little over a decade the life of the newsroom has changed beyond recognition. We are still a daily paper – but we also share hourly updates via our website and social media channels.

“The large team has shrunk dramatically in recent years as a reaction to the changing demands of the newspaper industry and difficult economic circumstances.

“Today’s reporters are writers, photographers, camera operators and social media pros all wrapped up in one package. But the one constant is that we remain at the heart of our community – and I hope that will never change.”

Staff will move to Redhill House once safe, in line with coronavirus social distancing guidelines.