The historic bindery, founded in 1919, has moved to a modern facility on the edge of Canvey Island town.

The new facility will be opened by Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh on 27 June.

Charfleet, which turned over £1.4m in 2022, specialises in producing high-end notebooks and diaries.

The company was acquired in 2015 by the former head of fashion boutique Browns, Simon Burstein, from Neale Dataday, which had been forced into receivership. 

At the time, diaries accounted for 90% of the firm’s sales – eight years later, it has diversified, and diaries now make up half of sales.

Much of the company's growth in recent years has been from producing books for other brands, including designer brands Aspinal, Liberty, and luxury retailer Fortnum & Mason.

Burstein said: “When I sold Browns in 2015 to [luxury e-commerce company] Farfetch, I had no idea I would end up owning a bindery business, but a series of serendipitous events combined with an unrealised love of artisanal bookmaking has led to where we are today, opening a brand-new state-of-the-art bindery facility.”

Charfleet has transferred its stable of finishing and binding equipment to the new facility, including Perfecta guillotines, Kolbus casemakers and blocking machines, Stahl and Aster folding and sewing machines, and a WSK auto gilt cornering press.

Burstein will also be relaunching the Leathersmith of London brand from the new facility. Founded in 1839, the menswear and stationery brand operates under the Charfleet bindery umbrella.

The Duchess’ visit to Canvey will also include a visit to a local animal sanctuary that cares for livestock and pets that had been subject to abuse.