Central News South, ITV Thames Valley and ITV Meridian - three incarnations of broadcaster ITV that have one thing in common. At some point, they have all used a fairly non-descript business park building in Oxfordshire as a base for local news coverage. From the outside it is almost unremarkable, save the dark glass and handsome brickwork. Inside, typical staunch 1980s spaces urge anonymity in a workmanlike atmosphere. After a quarter century of service, it is now closing for good.

Twenty-five years ago this summer, the builders arrived. They transformed 9 Windrush Court into a small but perfectly formed news operation for Central TV. They built a studio, gallery, newsroom, edit suites and offices. They installed miles of cabling and dozens of monitors and lights and computers. Later in that year staff started arriving - some from Birmingham, some from further afield. All were relishing the prospect of starting work on a brand new programme: Central News South. I was one of those from Birmingham.

For those wanting detail, Google is your friend - you'll find little history here. What follows is a collection of still pictures taken at the building that was known simply as 'Abingdon' to people who have worked there over the years. From January 9th, 1989 as Central News South, then much later in 2006 as ITV Thames Valley Tonight, and from 2008 as the Abingdon bureau for ITV News Meridian. Now, in late April 2013, the keys are handed back as the lights get turned off and the door closes for the last time. I was one of those closing the door. I thought you'd like to have a last look...

Steve Cottrell, April 2013

Abbreviations:

CNS - Central News South 1989-2006

TV - ITV Thames Valley 2006-2008

ITVM - ITV Meridian 2008-2013

9 Windrush Court, Windyke Furlong, Abingdon Business Park OX14 1SA - 01235 554123 - see, you did remember the address! My crew van and Peter Saunders' motorcycle taking up just 2 of the 2 dozen spaces. Pete took great pleasure in adorning cheeky chancers' windscreens with a camera tape sticker advising against parking in our spaces.

Reception area. Used to be a desk here (CNS), Jan would spend hours counting us in and counting us out. Now a laundry as Pete dries out his biker stuff - bloody stinks too.

Like a landing strip awaiting your arrival. Yes, the handles used to be blue.

First night to air was Jan 9, 1989 but building opened nearly a month later - no wonder we couldn't get inside!! (CNS)

As with most things in life, Jan was replaced by a phone. I'd like to be replaced by a GoPro.

The stairs and the door leading to the small kitchen (ITVM) and the toilets. Pigeon holes on the wall (CNS). Surname letters and 'Glos' and 'Swindon' still adorn the woodwork.

The editing corridor. The first thing you saw on your way to the newsroom (CNS). Wall through on left used to be glass. Through fire door and first left into the gallery...

Standing by the end of the racks looking towards the gallery (CNS), later used as a storage area (ITVM). It might seem ignominious to clutter up hallowed turf with junk, but actually the space was needed so why not. Remember - the memories are about the people, not the wood, plastic and metal. It's just a space. Note columns on far wall where monitors once were racked. Sound window to right.

Looking towards sound. Many have entered into Sound, few have emerged with their sanity in check. (CNS)

Standing behind the director's position, looking back towards the door (CNS). The Betacart stood just to the right. Many's the time I came bounding through with a tape ready to stuff into the thing - proud that I had made the slot rather than a live roll from Edit 2.

Stood in front of the Betacart looking towards Racks (CNS). Racking all gone, just the cooling extractors dangling like a set from Red Dwarf. Full-size pic on the right is journalist Martin Dowse clutching flowers!? (ITVM) A relic from the late Bournemouth bureau. Power cables and BNC leads still dangle from hooks down on the left. At the far end once lived a D+M bench or desk if I recall.