When did Times Newspapers Ltd move to Gray's Inn Road?

Answer 1

In 1959, the Grays inn Road newspaper printing works was acquired by Thomson Newspapers, from the Kemsley Group. The Grays Inn works were then publishing the Empire News (later sold to Murdoch and merged with The News of the World) and the Sunday Graphic (ceased publication). Although the Sunday Times was part of the Kemsley Group, the title was then being printed under contract by the Daily Telegraph. Production of the Sunday Times was transferred to Grays Inn Road in 1961, were the press-room had a very large and under used capacity. The title was able to increase it's size considerably, having been limited to a maximum 40 pages at the Telegraph. Later that year, the Manchester Guardian began production in London (to be "the Guardian with the printing contract going to Grays Inn Road.

The Times (Times Publishing) was then housed in Printing House Square, along with the Observer where they both had been since the late eighteen century. The Times was acquired by Rupert Murdoch in the early 1960's with production being transferred to Grays Inn Road in 1965. The Observer remained alone in Printing House Square until 1987.

Amid a huge industrial dispute all Murdoch national titles moved to Wapping in 1986 (The Sun, News of the World, the Times and Sunday Times). The Grays Inn works continued producing the Guardian until the contract expired in 1987.

I have little knowledge of the fate of the Grays Inn works as I left there in 1987. I returned on a visit in 2007 and thought I might have a drink in "the Thunderer" pub in Gough Street (rear of works). Nothing was left but a smart new anonymous buliding. Perhaps someone may be able to fill in the last few years.

Answer 2

Times Newspapers Ltd moved to Gray's Inn Road in 1989.