Journalists accused newspaper owners of “retreating from communities” yesterday as local offices of two more titles face closure.

Newsquest bosses told the Bromsgrove Advertiser and Kidderminster Shuttle that their offices in Worcestershire are to be closed.

All editorial staff will be forced to work miles away from the communities they cover at the offices of a sister paper in Stourbridge.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) condemned the move, which it said puts “greater distance between local newspapers and their audiences.”
NUJ Northern and Midlands organiser Chris Morley said: “It seems like open season at the moment on weekly newspaper offices that have sat proudly in the centres of the communities they serve for decades.

“Both Bromsgrove and Kidderminster are very much distinct towns with their own identities — something that their local newspapers must reflect if they are to succeed.

“Unfortunately, this retreat by Newsquest is just one more attack made by the corporate hierarchy on local quality journalism.”