“Everything needs to go,” said managing director and owner Warren Eastwood, whose grandfather founded the business after going into the trade after the First World War.

“It’s a third generation business, so it is sad – the customers think so, but it’s time for a change. I’ve been here 37 years, and it’s time to do other things.”

The solvent closure has led Eastwood to search for buyers for Modern Bookbinders’ kit, customer list, website, custom tooling and stock.

The firm, which specialises in magazine and loose binders, and record of achievement folders for schools, has many repeat customers, according to Eastwood.

“If someone is interested in taking the business on, that would be even better,” added Eastwood, encouraging anyone interested in the kit or business to get in touch.

“Everyone’s sad to see it go.”

Up for sale are a pair of Kolbus 1966 GDS casemakers, a Kolbus PE 48 foil blocking press and Kolbus rotary guillotine, alongside a rotary creasing machine, power creaser, guillotines, gluers, riveting machines, and a pair of PBE Marking Systems machines for foiling and rounding.

The business will wind up with seven employees, of whom many are similarly long-serving as Eastwood.

Following the sale, Eastwood will take time off from work to consider his next potential direction after the long stint at the family business.

“It’s probably a good time to have a break,” he said.