The shutdown is in line with Polestars strategy of creating a smaller number of larger sites and group operations director Mike Bartlett added that there were particular issues relating to Polestar Anglia profitability.

One of companys two Heidelberg Web 8 presses will be moved to the Polestar Colchester plant along with 18 of Polestar Anglias 56 staff to run it.

The other press is believed to be up for sale. Both are five-colour presses that can run at 45,000cph with the capability for in-line pattern perforating, aqueous coating, in-line die-cutting, re-moistenable gluing and rotary trimming.

GPMU East of England branch secretary Vernon Robson said he hoped that more positions at Polestar Colchester could be found for Polestar Anglia workers.

The group is saying that the plant isnt generating the work that it used to. It is also saying that the profitability of the site has fallen dramatically, said Robson.

Other CTP and ancillary equipment will be distributed around the groups other sites.

Polestar Anglia has now entered into a 30-day consultation period with the unions and employees that will begin immediately.

Subject to that process, the company will provide advice and liaison with local job agencies. The first redundancies will take place on 5 May and the plant is scheduled to close on 16 June.

The decision follows last weeks sale of Polestar Select Envelopes. Polestar is also reviewing the future of Polestar Purnell, which employs 600 staff (PrintWeek, 4 March). Both companies are based in Paulton, near Bristol.

Story by Tony Brown and John Davies