Hocking said the decision had been “a long time in the making”, as he is 55 and there was no-one “champing at the bit” in terms of a succession plan; while discussions with other printers about a potential going concern sale had not come to fruition. 

He told Printweek: “I got an offer to lease the buildings that I might not ever get again. This is purely a business decision, made by my head and not by my heart.

“I did love it [printing], but there comes a time when you just have to make a good business decision.”

Hocking said the firm had “great customers and great staff”, and his main priority was the firm’s employees. 

Pre-pandemic Nationwide Print employed 17. That has gradually reduced to nine over the pandemic period, and in anticipation of the shutdown.

“I am trying to do everything in a really orderly way. Staff will be well looked after,” he explained.

“Some may retire, and we are helping others sort out new opportunities. 

“This was a calm, well-though-out decision and we are 100% going to do the right thing. Bills will be paid,” Hocking stated.

Hocking on the Nationwide Print factory roof, which was fitted with solar panels as part of its environmental push

Nationwide Print also owns all of its equipment, which will be auctioned after the firm completes work-in-progress and shuts up shop on 15 July.

It runs a range of litho, digital, and large-format kit and associated post-press equipment. The firm had printed for a range of blue-chip brands and local clients including Cornwall Council, St Austell Brewery, and the Eden Project. 

Hocking said that sales were probably back to nearly 90% of pre-Covid levels, but trading remained challenging. 

“We were making money, but not enough to justify the relentless hard work this industry involves. We never did loss-leaders or any of that rubbish. 

“There’s plenty of work out there, and plenty of fantastic print firms – but when I look online and can buy a job cheaper than I can buy the paper, then that doesn’t give me a great deal of positivity going forward,” he noted.

Nationwide Print has two buildings at its St Austell site totalling some 1,300sqm, which will be leased by a neighbouring business that wants to expand. 

The company needs to vacate the premises by the beginning of October. 

H Hocking & Son began life in the mid-1930s operating from a room in the town, with the limited company established in 1959. 

Hocking will focus on his property business in future. 

Nationwide Print was Printweek’s Environmental Company of the Year in 2018, and triumphed in the SME category in 2014.