Yorkshire Printer Rises From Ashes Of Arson Attack

The present climate within the UK printing industry does not always lend itself well to stories with happy endings and this one certainly started in a far from pleasing way.

The present climate within the UK printing industry does not always lend itself well to stories with happy endings and this one certainly started in a far from pleasing way.

Four months ago, Lindley Printers was brought to an untimely end by an arson attack on its headquarters in George Street, Wakefield (UK).

The company, originally founded in 1924 by John Lindley, had a wealth of history behind it and was well known in the area as a printer of high quality products, specialising in NCR and stationary sets.

Though no longer the owner of the business, the grandson of the original founder, also called John Lindley, remained the landlord of the premises.

The death of the business came as a shock to many people in the Yorkshire printing industry and left its former employees devastated.

It was three weeks after closure that the circumstances of the business came to the attention of two young local entrepreneurs, Anthony Wood and David Hanson, owners of the Baggrab company amongst others.

Lindley Printers had been printing for them for a number of years and the sudden loss of this service forced them to action.

They immediately arranged purchase of all the former business's assets and a meeting with all the ex-employees and John Lindley.

Lindley and the former employees of the company entered a meeting with Wood and Hanson and it became clear that the two men offered an opportunity to not only reinstate all the former staff but to continue the name of the business.

Lindley Print and Design Ltd was formed and began trading under the name Lindley Print, Design and Web, offering its traditional print services coupled with enhanced design services, including website design.

The ensuing three months have seen a transformation of the fire ruined premises in central Wakefield, But as Hanson pointed out: "There is still much work to be done before we will be happy with them." Many of the old customers have returned and several new ones have been attracted, including Velcro Plc.

They have been attracted by the quick turn around, professional but friendly service and honest prices said the company.

As Bill Branfoot, of Independent Paper said: "It's good to see a couple of lads like these step in and save an old name like Lindley's".

" It's been a while since I saw something in this industry to make me smile but Tony and Dave bring a real breath of fresh air to the local print industry and I'm sure they'll make their mark, and then some.".

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