Portsmouth News Centre set for electric bus depot redevelopment

The News Centre in Portsmouth is set to be redeveloped by First Bus into a bus depot capable of accommodating up to 90 electric vehicles.

First Bus, the owners of the site, submitted a request to Portsmouth City Council for permission to clear the site, which includes the main building.

Until last year the News Centre has almost exclusively been home to press related/printing activities. Opening in 1969 and operating as the base of Portsmouth News up until editorial and advertising staff moved out in 2013, the News Centre continued to be used for printing operations by Portsmouth News until last year.

Despite hopes that the building would be preserved, First Bus has indicated that demolition is likely. With this being said, First Bus has expressed its intention to donate items from the site, such as printing presses, to local groups or museums.

A petition was launched in May to prevent the demolition of the site. Recent developments have led to a surge in the number of signatories.

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As already mentioned, the new bus depot will hold up to 90 electric vehicles with First Bus describing the plans as ''state-of-the-art''.

Simon Goff, managing director of First Bus South, said: “Our plans to create a fully electrified, purpose-built depot on the site of the former News Centre represents major investment in Portsmouth and highlights our commitment to providing green travel in the area. The new depot will provide a home for a fully electric bus fleet, which directly aligns with Portsmouth City Council’s aim to provide clean, zero emission public transport.”

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