Gary Warner set up GW Print Finishers with a £60,000 investment in a secondhand Muller Martini 321 stitching line from Iman Solutions, and two MBO B30s and a 115 Wohlenberg guillotine from Bindery and Graphic Machinery.

Initially, Warner will operate the business with his nephew who is new to the trade and being trained by Warner.

He said: "I want to build up enough work so that I am confident enough to start employing staff. At the moment, we can only run one machine at a time."

The fold-stitch-trim specialist has set up shop next to Warner's former employer Ace Bookbinders, where he was production director.

Warner said that GW Print would handle work from his former employer.

He added that, while he had wanted to start his own business for some time, he had delayed his decision due to the inherent risks.

"I have worked for other people all my working life, 33 years, and I always wanted to do something on my own. Now my children are older, if I lose everything, it isn't as bad," said Warner.

However, he added that the experience he gained from working with Ace Bookbinders had left him in a better position to start his own business.

"I have more chance of succeeding than fifteen years ago," he said. "My contacts and my experience are a lot stronger, not to mention the business acumen I have developed from running a book binder for seven years."