By Margaret Crosby

Last updated at 12:22, Thursday, 28 June 2012

THE long-established Whitehaven print firm of Printexpress has gone into liquidation with the loss of 16 jobs.

Staff were told by managing director John Jenkinson last Thursday that the doors on the Hensingham printworks would close the following day.

Printexpress (Cumbria) Limited, of Sneckyeat Industrial Estate, has been trading for 27 years.

The closure represents an emotional wrench for Mr Jenkinson, his wife Christine and their employees, who he called “a group of fantastic people, most of whom are like family to us”.

Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Jenkinson, who before he struck out on his own in 1985 worked for Smith Bros at Hensingham, stressed the importance of organisations spending locally and supporting West Cumbrian-based businesses.

“Sadly, though it is a sign of these troubled times, our bankers (Clydesdale), without warning, saw fit to reduce our facilities at a time when we needed support. But this is an all too common story and many other businesses will confirm that,” said Mr Jenkinson.

“This is an absolute tragedy, not only for myself and Christine, but also for our loyal staff who have worked so hard over the years and it is for them that we feel for most at this time. We had a wonderful base of loyal customers, whom it has been a pleasure to deal with, and we thank them all for their valued custom.’’

Ironically, May saw Printexpress hit the highest sales figure in its 27-year history, thanks to a healthy order book boosted by work for the Whitehaven Festival, a good example, says Mr Jenkinson, of local people supporting local business.

He added: “It seems so unreal to be closing after such a busy time, but all too often I see work which could and should be done in West Cumbria going elsewhere. This area has some great businesses with great workers, so imagine how gutting it feels as a business owner to see work going outside the county for no valid reasons whatsoever.

“This area has the capability to boom, but only if people start realising that we need to pull together now more than ever and wherever possible keep it local. It may be too late for Printexpress but our plea is not to let West Cumbria fall any further – these good people don’t deserve it.”

First published at 11:08, Thursday, 28 June 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk