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Behind the headlines: As former Diss Express offices in Mere Street set to become flats - here’s why we need your support




It is an unremarkable concrete frame and masonry building located opposite the Mere in Diss’ conservation area.

That is how South Norfolk Council heritage officers have described 22/24 Mere Street, which could now become three flats, if a developer’s wish is granted.

This “unremarkable building” was once home to the Diss Express for more than half a century; a place where many reporters helped to shape news coverage across south Norfolk and north Suffolk.

22/24 Mere Street was home to the Diss Express between 1970 and 2022. Picture: Mark Bullimore
22/24 Mere Street was home to the Diss Express between 1970 and 2022. Picture: Mark Bullimore

The building may not have heritage status in the town, but we would like to think that the Diss Express, which was founded by Edward Abbott, a bookseller and printer, in November 1864, does.

An application has now been submitted to South Norfolk Council by Anglia Design LLP, on behalf of Jian Feng XU, asking if prior approval is needed for the change of use of the first floor office space to become three flats.

It follows the sale of the building for approximately £800,000, which the Diss Express had leased, since 1970.

The plan for the flats at 22/24 Mere Street, Diss. Picture: Anglia Design/South Norfolk Council
The plan for the flats at 22/24 Mere Street, Diss. Picture: Anglia Design/South Norfolk Council

Although the paper moved out of the office building in November 2022, it is still very much alive, both in print and online – and this is where we need your help.

Traditionally, newspapers have had two sources of revenue to pay for our journalism – the cover price and advertising.

Whether it be through holding authorities to account, ensuring an open justice system, celebrating your successes, or publicising and covering your events, our journalists have always aimed to contribute to the community in a positive and effective fashion.

But, in common with newspapers everywhere, print circulations are in decline, as the online world continues to grow.

The Diss Express and Norfolk and Suffolk Journal, Friday, November 4, 1864
The Diss Express and Norfolk and Suffolk Journal, Friday, November 4, 1864

Combined with the covid pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and steep increases in the price of energy and raw materials needed to print newspapers, our chief revenue source has been compromised.

With digital revenue eaten up by global tech giants like Google and Facebook, which continue to expand, local newspapers like this one have been caught in the perfect storm.

We know, however, the appetite for trusted local news by trained journalists remains undiminished.

Our premium sites and access to digital copies of more than 30 papers across the region, costs 52p a week, or £27.44 a year
Our premium sites and access to digital copies of more than 30 papers across the region, costs 52p a week, or £27.44 a year

Readers still turn to us in their thousands, both in print and online.

Our parent company, Iliffe Media, a family-owned independent publisher, is endeavouring to keep the news tradition alive, while, at the same time, developing new, innovative business models.

We know the current news offering, across the national and local media landscape, can be confusing for readers with various registrations, paywalls, and pop-ups, at play. We try to keep it simple.

The Diss Express is still going strong, but we need to establish a more secure financial footing if we are to continue to thrive and provide a valued service to the community.

Our cover price remains at £2 for those who still like to read a print edition.

For those who prefer online news, though, we simply ask: would you mind paying 52p a week for better, cleaner (no more pops-ups) and wider news coverage across the region.

In keeping with every other newspaper title in the Iliffe Media group, the Diss Express has introduced a paywall system for its website.

Visitors are still able to read a certain number articles a month for free before they are asked to take out a digital subscription – either for £4.99 a month (12 months for the price of 11) or £27.44 a year (using the current half-price offer).

The latter offer works out at just 52p a week. That 52p a week means you will be able to browse our premium websites, including the Diss Express and Suffolk News, with minimum advertisements, and no pop-ups.

It also includes access to digital editions of more than 30 newspapers in the group, including the Bury Free Press, Haverhill Echo, Newmarket Journal and Suffolk Free Press, through the Iliffe Media app, which also features daily interactive puzzles.

To us, it feels like a small price to pay to ensure that south Norfolk and north Suffolk continues to have a local paper of value - as it has done since 1864.

There are also special offers for businesses which allow up to five users for £9.99 per month and 20 users for £19.99. Our family offers are worth a look, too.

For more information, go to www.dissexpress.co.uk/subscribe.

Use the offer code HALFPRICE to help secure your local paper’s future.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.



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