Managing director Mick Read said the move had come about due to the expiry of the lease on the Guildford site in June 2004.

It makes sense to move into one site as over 60% of production is already at Kings Lynn, he said.

Read said Biddles had also felt it was unlikely that the lease at Guildford would be renewed once it had expired, as the site was being proposed for redevelopment.

The Guildford operation employs 61 staff and although Read said they would be offered the chance to relocate, he thought it was unlikely that all would be willing to move.

Kings Lynn employs 120 staff and Read said once operations had been consolidated, the plant would be expanded including the development of a bookjacket-manufacturing unit, which could lead to further recruitment.

The company expects the move to be completed prior to the Guildford lease
expiring.

Biddles plans came to light days after upheaval at fellow book printer CPI, whose UK managing director, Peter Palframan, left last week (PrintWeek,, 1 November).

Meanwhile, W&G Baird Group chairman Roy Bailie OBE is to leave his role as chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board once his second term expires on 31 December.

His departure comes after controversy over the awarding of printing contracts to W&G Baird during his chairmanship.

Bailie will be replaced by Tom McGrath OBE, who is a director and deputy chairman of insurance broker Marsh Ireland.

Story by Andy Scott

Pictured: Read - "makes sense to move"