Zizzi's restaurant, at 57 High Street, was the former site of the newspaper, one of the oldest in the UK, before the team relocated to Upper Brook Street in 2004.
Speaking afterwards, Steve said: "I was delighted to be able to pop in at lunchtime and join everyone as the Hampshire Chronicle marked 240 years. As I said in the piece I was honoured to write for their commemorative edition out today, I mentioned the newspaper in my maiden speech in the House of Commons, and am incredibly proud of this local instution.
"I am a fervent supporter of strong local newspapers, free from any political agenda, for a little local sanity and perspective in an increasingly global, online world, and wish the team, past, present and future, all the very best."
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