THE Newcastle Herald is embracing change and moving with the times.
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After more than 150 years in Newcastle’s Bolton Street, your much-loved newspaper is relocating to new headquarters at Honeysuckle.
The Herald, as the flagship masthead of Fairfax Media’s Newcastle Newspapers, will shift its main editorial and commercial operations to 28Honeysuckle Drive from November.
Newcastle-Hunter business manager Jason King said Fairfax selecting the new premises was a vote of confidence for the future of Newcastle and the Herald.
Newcastle Newspapers would join an impressive list of corporate tenants in the harbour-front precinct, including Sparke Helmore, nib health fund and Hunter Water.
‘‘After much consideration, we have selected a fantastic new home in the Newcastle CBD,’’ Mr King said. ‘‘Our staff will benefit from a purpose-designed workplace with access to state-of-the-art technology.
‘‘This new media hub will allow us to respond to the needs of our customers and audience in a more mobile and collaborative way.
‘‘And, of course, we will provide a welcoming public-access point, which is close to the planned transport interchange.’’
The Herald traces its heritage back to The Newcastle Chronicle and Hunter River District News, which was launched in 1858 – a time when many locals could neither read nor write.
In 1876, the Chronicle was incorporated into The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, the latter part of which actually started in Wallsend before moving into ‘‘town’’.
The Herald operated for half a century out of the same Bolton Street building originally occupied by the Chronicle.
It was demolished in 1929 to make way for the current building with its sandstone facade, which will remain home to the Herald up until mid-November.
Fairfax moved its regional printing operation to its current site at Beresfield in 1998.
Hailed as the ‘‘Voice of the Hunter’’, the Herald has been lauded over the years for its fearless commitment to local residents and local issues.
It collected back-to-back awards as the best newspaper and website in its category at the 2014 Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers Association Awards.
‘‘The Herald is a cornerstone of our community, and its devotion to the region and those who live here runs wide and deep,’’ editor Chad Watson said.
‘‘While staying true to traditional values, this move to new premises will ensure we continue to adapt and keep connecting with our growing audience across various publishing platforms.’’