He insisted the top priorities for the Frome-based book printer were to get back up and running, and to continue securing work before re-opening on 4 August.

Sarney told PrintWeek: "We're preparing the site, we have our sales team out there and the orders are coming in.

"There's also maintenance work going on and we've had clients coming down to check us out and see that we've done all that we said we would. We've been getting some very positive feedback."

As previously reported, the printer will re-open with an initial staff headcount of 80.

Publishing entrepreneur Felix Dennis, who stepped in at the eleventh hour to save the book printer from closure, said he anticipates this figure to "rise substantially in the months to come".

Sarney would not be drawn on future plans for the company, and insisted everything was being taken one step at a time.

He said: "We know our markets and our strategies but the priority is to get the company back up and operational. We're not going to put ourselves in an unnecessary situation by expanding too quickly.

"We are getting many of the company's existing clients back on board. They've always provided us with tremendous levels of support and in return, we'll aim to give them the highest levels of service."

Sarney also confirmed that the printer planned to remain at its current site: "We're staying in Frome. We have a skilled workforce here and our customers know us."