A PAGE in Worcester News and Berrow’s Journal’s history was unexpectedly uncovered at St Swithin’s House this week.
Labourers working at the former printworks in Trinity Street, Worcester, were surprised to find an impressive large glass panel advertising what were then Berrow’s Newspaper Ltd titles.
St Swithin’s House was the printing centre for the Worcester News, then called the Evening News and Times, and its group of associated weekly papers from 1937. The glass panel is on the first floor above a door and is etched with the names of the title’s papers including the Malvern Gazette, Ledbury Reporter and Saturday Sports News, known locally as the “Green ‘Un”.
It is thought that the sign was boarded over after the printworks left Trinity Street for its current home in Hylton Road in July 1965 and St Swithin’s House was turned into offices.
Labourer Jose Soares, aged 40, said: “We had been wondering what was behind the plywood and when we finally removed it we were surprised to find the panel.”
Mark Slater, director of North Face Construction which has been contracted to transform the offices into flats and student accommodation, said he knew of the building’s illustrious past.
“The sign was covered up and painted over so it wasn’t until we opened it up that we realised it was there.
“I knew it was the printworks years ago but it is just a really nice old feature.
“The front of the building itself is about 120 years old so it is great to bring it back and put it to good use.”
It is expected that the building work will be finished by mid-July.
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