Work on News International’s new printing plant in north London is nearly complete, with the first papers expected to be produced there early next year and a full switchover from Wapping expected next summer.
According to a report from Broxbourne Council, all 12 printing presses have arrived at the multimillion pound site at Waltham Cross, near Enfield, which has been under construction since October 2005.
A separate planning application for a magazine ‘batching unit’was approved by the council in March.
News International’s planning applications include plans for an ‘architectural landmark’to be built on the site, and the council has been in talks with the arts department of the University of Hertfordshire on its design.
The plant is part of Park Plaza – a part-industrial, part-commercial development that will include a Travelodge hotel and a business park.
News International has donated £525,000 to fund a life-long learning project for Waltham Cross residents, and the company will be giving a presentation to the Waltham Cross Neighbourhood Forum in November.
Meanwhile, Associated Newspapers is also set to revamp its printing operations early next year with the opening of a new plant in Didcot, Oxfordshire and improvements to the current site, Harmsworth Quays, in south-east London.
The Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday are set to become full colour from early next year as part of the £96m project.
In a trading statement, parent company Daily Mail and General Trust said the new plant would also increase pagination of both titles.
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