The first edition of the Slough Observer went on sale on the 6th of May 1883. It was printed by Charles Luff on his fathers printing works in Buckingham Gardens. Luff owned the paper until his death, after which his son Edward took over.

In 1933, Frank Lawrance joined as a partner, and in 1947 he took sole control of the company.

It was at this time that the Observer moved from its' original premises to Mackenzie Street, into the building which had formerly been the home of the Halidon House School.

One of the most famous journalists to work on the paper was Kenneth Allsop. He joined as a junior reporter in 1938, and returned to the Observer following war service. He moved on to the 'Picture Post' before breaking into television, where he found fame on the 'Tonight' and '24 Hours' programmes. He was also a committed conservationist, and the Kenneth Allsop Memorial Trust was set up in 1976 to buy and protect the island of Steep Holm.

In 1968, the company moved again - their new offices and printing works were at 1 Stoke Road. It was to be the first of several moves over the next few years. In 1974 they moved onto the trading estate, at Bedford Avenue. Six years later they moved across to Banbury Avenue, still on the trading estate. And in 1989, the advertising and admin departments moved to Upton Court (with the production and editorial departments remaining at Banbury Avenue).

Frank Lawrance had died in 1969, with his widow Kathleen becoming chairman and his son Peter being appointed managing director. The Lawrance family remained in charge until 1997, when they sold the company to the Scottish-based Clyde & Forth Press.

Also in 1997, the production and editorial departments moved into offices next to Upton Court. Upton Court is now recognised as the home of the Slough Observer.

In May 1999, the Observer became one of the first local newspapers in the UK to launch its own website.