A local newspaper has marked its seventh anniversary with the opening of its first ever public-facing office.

The West Leeds Dispatch’s new community newsroom has officially opened at Bramley Lawn.

HTFP reported in January how the Dispatch was preparing to create an office space where its team of 50 volunteer reporters will be able to meet, discuss stories and talk to members of the public.

The facility, pictured below, is a former storage room at the Bramley Lawn centre, which is run by Bramley Elderly Action, and was built after volunteer reporters took down a dividing wall, pulled up the carpet, cleaned it out and painted it.

Volunteers from the Bramley Care Bears community group made desks out of recycled pallet wood, while the office plants were donated by the Dispatch’s own reporters

Editor John Baron told HTFP: “Our people-powered newsroom offers a base where our community reporters can come together, swap ideas, carry out interviews in a safe environment and receive any help and support that they need.

“Just as importantly it’s a place where they can come and have a friendly cuppa and meet up with other people.

“It’s been great to see so many people coming together to use it already.”