The land and factory units occupied by Charlesworth Press in Wakefield have been put on the market by the company’s landlord, described by the agent handling the sale as “a private family client.”
The 2.2 acre site includes four factory units amounting to a 4,360m2 print factory. The lease expires in August next year.
Charlesworth Press would like to stay on the site and has made an offer to the private landlord, but says that it has received no feedback to date. On the other hand, Rob Oliver, principal at Avison Young in Leeds which is marketing the asset, says: “We are delighted with the interest received to date.” He points out the enhanced power supply to the site, needed for presses and finishing equipment, adding: “This property offers a rare opportunity to acquire premises suiting production use.”
Mark Gray, chief executive of Charlesworth Press, says he is exploring all options. Nothing will be in place before the end of the year following what should be a frenetic period for the personalised books that the company produces and which led to investment in a dedicated case binding line last year.
Even then the company will have eight months to make long term arrangements. He says “We are trying to utilise the move or purchase of property to align with future plans. We are looking at acquisitions of other printing businesses where property is involved as well as other property as the business does not want to rent going forward. We are not ruling anything out at the moment.”
The location is at the centre of further development with, what the agent says, are high quality neighbours. “On the adjacent site, Frank Marshall Estates are commencing construction of a new business park and industrial estate, whilst further up the road, Sewtec has recently relocated into a 7,000m2 production facility,” says Oliver.
“PLP has also started construction on two new speculative warehouse units on the former Silkwood Park at PLP Wakefield, demonstrating there is ample appetite in this area for quality industrial units.”
Whatever the final outcome, Gray is keen to remain local. “Wakefield MP Iran Ahmed Khan and his staff are working closely with us to try and insure that the business stays within the Wakefield Council,” he says. “But we have to see what happens in the coming months.”
The Harry Potter fan club membership book was a hit for Charlesworth Press last year. Each book is heavily personalised to the child receiving it and produced on an automated binding line at the factory in Wakefield.
