As PrintWeek went to press West Ferry Printers was on the brink of issuing a writ against Express Group for non-payment of a 6m print bill, as relations between joint owners Telegraph Group and Northern & Shell (N&S) worsened.


Telegraph Group managing director and West Ferry director Jeremy Deedes said: "West Ferry is in discussions as part of a last-minute attempt to lay the question of non-payment to rest."


Telegraph Group has also served a 12-month notice to Northern & Shell (N&S) that it intends to dissolve the existing arrangement with the companies other joint venture, Newsprint Management Supply Services.


"The arrangement just isnt working out with Express Groups current management," he said. "Weve got some long-standing relationships with newsprint companies in America and Europe and were eager to maintain them."


The Express has accumulated print debts at West Ferry since N&S bought it from United News & Media for 125m last year (PrintWeek, 24 November).


N&S has refused to pay its print bills until its share of a disputed 11m dividend is paid out.


The two sides have yet to agree on the arbiter to broker the Telegraphs buyout of N&S 50% stake in the West Ferry.


Telegraph Group served notice of its intention to purchase in January.


But there is disagreement about how to assess the value of the printworks. Telegraph Group is believed to have offered around 30m, while N&S values it at around 80m.


A spokeswoman for N&S said: "There are still a number of issues with West Ferry that are as yet unresolved. N&S management is taking legal advice and is confident of its position relating to all issues."


Story by John Davies