MOVING offices is never easy – especially when you are producing a newspaper six days a week.
But by yesterday afternoon, everything and everyone was in place to bring you this edition of the paper from the new Derby Telegraph premises in Siddalls Road.
Planning the mammoth move from the newspaper's former home in Meadow Road after 33 years began several months ago.
And as the packing crates arrived last week, the whole adventure began to gather momentum.
The newspaper did not need to take its tables, chairs and other furniture.
But the more intricate business of sorting out the technology, such as wi-fi and computers that go into producing a newspaper and updating the website had to be sorted.
After a busy weekend, everything was finally in place.
Managing director Steve Hall said: "There are a few things still to sort out over the next week or so, but I'm pleased that everything has come together."
Being at the junction of Siddalls Road, Station Approach and Traffic Street means that, for the first time in three decades, the newspaper has a city centre presence.
Journalists will be expecting to have more direct contact with the people, who are likely to drop in to the new offices because of the proximity to the Intu shopping centre and the city's bus station.
They will be working on "hot desks" and writing stories with the aid of mobile phones and laptops, from anywhere in the county.
The rest of the paper's production team – content editors, advertising staff and web staff – will be also be making use of new technology at the offices and on the road.
Editor Neil White said: "The move gives us a great opportunity to look at our working practice to see how we can bring even more exciting content to our newspaper readers and those who follow us online."
The Siddalls Road building will also give staff a much lighter environment with 360-degree views across the city.
Assistant news editor Suzanne Nelson has been with the newspaper for 11 years.
Speaking during her first shift at the new offices yesterday, she said: "I really welcome being nearer to the city centre.
"It really puts us back at the heart of the community and we look forward to seeing more people dropping by to share their news with us.
"The office is lighter, brighter and more modern, and that has to be a bonus."
The offices are only the fourth in more than 135 years for the newspaper. Previous homes were in the Cornmarket and Albert Street.
Having natural daylight to work in has also pleased features editor Jill Gallone.
She said: "Being in the old building, it could be very dark and dingy at times and we were quite remote from the city itself.
"This is the start of a very exciting era for the newspaper and its website.
"I think everyone will be pleased when they come in to work today to see what a difference moving will make."
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