Star’s temporary offices go up

These pictures show what will be the centre of the Shropshire Star’s news gathering operation for the next six months being lifted into place at the newpaper’s Ketley headquarters in Telford.

The four Portakabin buildings have been installed double-decker fashion by a giant crane on the front car park as part of a major £500,000 refurbishment programme.

Check out the photo gallery below

It is from this temporary accommodation that reporters, photographers, production journalists and support staff, who put together your favourite evening newspaper each day, will be working.

Receptionists and staff from the Shropshire Magazine and Telford Journal will also be in the units.

Colin Spicer, managing director of Shropshire Newspapers, said about 60 staff would move into the Portakabins in mid-March, allowing workers to transform the interior of the 1960s offices, including pre-press and advertising departments.

“We will move back into our new offices designed to meet the needs of a major multi-media organisation with internet and video facilities, ultimately leading to an integrated newsroom combining print, online and radio,” he said.

“The cabins have been designed so the workflow of the newspaper will not be compromised in any way.

“There will be a reception area for the public and a new visitors’ car park with a walkway to the cabins which will be protected by 24-hour hi-tech security.”

Mr Spicer said that the work was part of a planned programme of redevelopment for Shropshire Newspapers.

This includes a new office at The Angel, Broad Street, Ludlow, recently opened new offices in Oswestry and Welshpool and a refurbished editorial department at Newport.

“The Chronicle House offices at Shrewsbury are for sale with a view to relocation to a site more conducive to a modern newspaper,” said Mr Spicer.

He added: “This all reaffirms our commitment to serving the community and bringing the public the best and most up-to-date news.”

Shropshire Newspapers’ other offices will all remain open as normal during the work.