Staff were sent home from the litho printer on 21 April. A source claiming to be an ex-employee told PrintWeek that salaried staff had last been paid for March and that factory staff were three weeks in arrears when the firm closed.

According to Companies House, GW Chapman director David Chapman's appointment at the company was terminated on 19 April, a day after he was declared bankrupt on the Insolvency Register. An Anthony David Chapman was appointed director on the same day.

A new business called Anthony David Chapman Company was incorporated the following day (20 April) with Anthony Chapman the sole director. There is no other evidence to link the companies though.

The previous incarnation of GW Chapman & Sons went into administration in December 2009, when it was sold back to its previous director. Insolvency practitioner SFP was appointed to the Middlesex-based printer before selling it to GW Chapman & Sons Stationery the following week.

GW Chapman & Sons Stationery changed its name to GW Chapman & Sons Print two days later. Both companies hold David Chapman as director and Christine Chapman as secretary.