County Press building sold to Friends of the Animals

In a significant development for the Isle of Wight, the County Press has announced the sale of Brannon House to Friends of the Animals.

The historic building, once the heart of local journalism, will now serve as a new home for the animal welfare charity.

Brannon House, located on Pyle Street, has been the County Press headquarters for over a century. It was founded by George Brannon, a self-taught artist and engraver, in 1884.

The sale marks a new chapter for the County Press, which will be relocating to a modern rented office space at the Innovation Centre in Newport.

County Press editor Lori Little expressed enthusiasm about the move, stating, “This transition to a new office is a positive step for our team and aligns with our ongoing growth.”

Helen Sinclair, founder of Friends of the Animals, shared her excitement about the purchase of Brannon House. “Our current premises in Riverway are simply bursting at the seams,” she told CP Online. “The increased number of calls and animals we’re assisting has made it clear that we need more space. Brannon House will allow us to expand and better serve our community.”

The charity plans to relocate its offices to Brannon House and utilise the additional space for storing and sorting donations. There are also plans to open a charity shop on the premises.