IT IS business as usual at The Southern Reporter, despite media reports this week to the contrary.
News of TheSouthern’s apparent closure and subsequent job losses surfaced in the region on Monday. However, they are without basis.
Following a company announcement last Thursday, it is proposed relocating editorial and advertising staff to accommodation within Selkirk that is fit for purpose and cost efficient. The announcement has no impact on jobs in the Borders, although the company has said it will consider any requests for voluntary redundancy.
Editor Susan Windram has confirmed TheSouthern will retain its presence in the town, with a more appropriately-sized office manned by reporters, photographers and advertising staff.
She said: “Our commitment to the Borders remains our highest priority, and we will continue to provide the good, solid local journalism that Borderers expect from us.
“We have no plans at this stage other than exploring the opportunity to move to new premises within Selkirk. We will remain at our office in the town’s High Street until a suitable replacement has been found, ensuring no detrimental effect for readers and advertisers, as well as customers wanting to place announcements.”
However, there are plans to close the office in Kelso.
Mrs Windram continued: “Our world is changing and we have to ensure we are delivering news and information the way people want to receive it, be that via our newspapers, our website or our mobile sites. To that end, the company has exciting plans to invest in updating TheSouthern and its website later this year to reflect the ever-changing multi-media landscape we are in.”