The Mail looks for a new Barrow base

Newsquest Cumbria – which owns The Mail after it took over CN Group in March – has been investing in journalists based in the community and sales staff specialising in digital advertising.

As part of its plans it wants to find a new office in Barrow – and for its staff, equipped with the latest technology, to be closer to the community, clients, and readers they serve.

The Mail was highly commended in the daily newspaper of the year category at the O2 North West Media Awards earlier this month and was named Britain's best daily newspaper (below 20,000 circulation) in March.

A recruitment drive has seen Newsquest Cumbria recruit six new journalists based in Barrow, and add digital sales expertise to its advertising team.

This restructure of the business means it wants to move out of its present Abbey Road site, and find an alternative office in the heart of the town in an approach more fitting of a modern multi-media business.

Jonathan Lee, managing director of Newsquest Cumbria and a former editor of The Mail said: “The Mail has a long tradition of fighting for Barrow, Furness, Ulverston and Millom and all the surrounding villages and communities.

“We remain committed to providing the best possible coverage for our readers and the best possible advertising solutions for existing and new clients, and have invested in people, equipment, training and products to make sure that continues.

“It is no secret that our Abbey Road building is no longer fit for a modern multi-media business like ours. And we are actively seeking new premises in the heart of Barrow.

“Better use of technology also means our journalists and advertising sales staff are able to spend more time in the heart of the community covering and dealing with the issues which are most important to you, our readers and advertising clients.

“We therefore no longer need the size of premises that we previously did.

“This marks a new era for the Barrow-based team and one we are looking forward to in order to make sure we are providing what you want from a media organisation in 2018 and beyond, across digital, magazines, events and newspapers.

“As always we welcome readers’ and clients’ feedback on where we can improve. So don’t hesitate to get in touch to let us know how we can do better.”

The Mail’s popular Reader Travel Holidays business and its newspaper sales operation will also continue to operate in Barrow.

The Abbey Road office is up for sale for £350,000 with agents Carigiet Cowen who describe the building as: “A substantial two and part three storey office building originally dating from the late 19th century with excellent on-site parking provision.

“Internally, the accommodation comprises a mix of open plan and private office space, meeting rooms, stores and ancillary facilities on each floor.

“The property offers potential for alternative use, subject to planning, with scope to install a lift.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the site is asked to contact Chris Smith of Carigiet Cowen on 07979 591689 or email csmith@carigietcowen.co.uk To contact a Mail journalist telephone 01229-840150; ask about advertising solutions on 01229-840226/840110; or call Reader Travel Holidays on 01229-840176.

For subscriptions for The Mail or any of Newsquest Cumbria’s newspaper titles or magazines such as Cumbria Life, Taste Cumbria or Living magazine contact 0808-144-8144.