A regional daily is set to return to having a city centre office when it moves to a university campus.

The Lancashire Post has announced the partnership with the University of Central Lancashire, which will see the former move to the latter’s Media Factory facility, in Preston.

The Post is currently headquartered more than three miles away at its Caxton Road office, in the suburb of Fulwood, which will close on Monday 13 March.

The new site will also be available for use for staff working on the Post’s National World sister titles in Lancashire.

The Media Factory at UCLan

These include daily newspaper the Blackpool Gazette, which has not had its own office since August last year.

Nicola Adam, who edits the Post and Gazette, will oversee the move before she takes on a new group-wide role with National World.

Nicola, herself a Google-sponsored graduate of UCLan’s journalism leadership and innovation course, “This is fantastic news for our staff and titles as it means the best of both worlds with hybrid working and access to a flexible office with great transport links, not to mention a host of other facilities including a cafe in the building and parking.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for innovative thinking around journalism and partnerships and will provide opportunities for the journalists of the future and for meaningful collaboration with the university as we rethink the industry and demands of younger audiences.”

Dr François Nel, of the Media Innovation Studio at UCLan, added: “Journalism has been taught in Preston since 1962, making it the oldest such university programme in England and our special relationship with the Lancashire Post goes back at least that far.

“There is no doubt this strong industry-academic partnership has been key to why The Guardian University Guide 2023 shows we remain amongst the very best. We are ranked No 1 in the North West and amongst the top 20 nationally for journalism and publishing.

“Our relationship has also fed into the pioneering and ongoing innovation at the LEP and the wider organisation.

“Having those colleagues as neighbours will no doubt ensure we all remain at the cutting-edge of our fields and relevant to the communities we serve.”