Chandlers Print closing

Chandlers Print, which began in 1911, will shut up shop in Brett Drive and relocate to Heathfield in April or May.

Staff have been informed of the decision which managing director Mike Goulding claims has been made for economic reasons.

He told the Observer the company has operated under "substantial" loss in recent years even though it was taken over in 2006 by the Gemini Print Group which has a strong record in regenerating companies within the industry.

He commented: "The economic situation - as we all know - in this country is difficult, and for printing particularly difficult. Chandlers Print has been in Bexhill for nearly 100 years...but it has suffered, along with a number of companies, in the recession.

"It is a bit of a shock but at the same time, not. The reasons for moving are economic.

"Certainly it was a shock for the staff because some have been working here for many years. They are all being offered employment elsewhere and there are no redundancy plans."

There are 19 employees including one person who has been with Chandlers for 40 years.

Mr Goulding said: "We gathered all the staff in the building and told them our intentions. We are now conducting one-to-one meetings with the staff this week to answer all their concerns and questions, then obviously moving forward from there."

The commercial print company which produces material such as catalogues, brochures and magazines was founded by Frederick Chandler who passed it on to sons Len and Ray - the latter was a distinguished World War 2 fighter pilot.

By the 1960's the company had around 100 employees but at this time was sold by the family and was then owned by a succession of plc groups, suffering reductions in staffing along the way and struggling to survive in recent years.

Mr Goulding said: "Gemini tried to protect the business for two years unsuccessfully. It now needs to relocate to one of the other group members. The name 'Chandlers Print' will be retained...but somewhere else. We are just sharing facilities at the Heathfield premises.

"I think we are making the best of it for everybody concerned. We are making the best of a difficult and trying situation.

"In order to avoid closing the business completely we need to find the next best solution and that is to make it more economically viable by sharing premises elsewhere."