Lynx Advance, a recently established subsidiary of London-based Lynx Press, is poised to acquire the lease and at least one of the web presses at Washington Webs former site.


Lynx Press director David Duff is in negotiations with lease owners Worldwide Envelope Machinery, a sister company of Washington Envelopes.


Although Lynx claimed the deal was not signed or sealed, when PrintWeek phoned Washington Webs number a receptionist said "the same service as Washington had provided is being offered by a new company [Lynx Advance]".


"We have been in negotiations for about six weeks now, and are confident that a deal will go through soon," said Duff. "As far as we are aware, we are the only one in the running."


Michael Tucknutt, a former sales representative at both Mayfair Print and Washington Web, was at the company "investigating a possible job opportunity".


"This acquisition would make us up to 10 times larger," said Duff. "I would be surprised if we didnt take on some ex-Washington Web staff."


Duff said he would not be involved in the day-to-day running and would appoint a "local person with web press management skills".


He emphasised that former Washington Web managing director Paul Hutchinson formed no part of his plans.


Story by Andy Scott