A TROUBLED printing firm in East Lancashire is set to call in administrators.

Eighty-nine jobs at Calderprint in Dunnockshaw, near Burnley, are understood to be in jeopardy.

Bosses at the Bradwood Works firm have filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators with the High Court.

And Manchester-based Leonard Curtis, through administrators Andrew Poxon and Julien Irving, is in line to handle the process.

No-one was available for comment yesterday at the company’s headquarters, located behind Oak Mill in Manchester Road.

But the Lancashire Telegraph understands the administrators are poised to begin recovery work imminently there.

Their last accounts, up to May 31, 2018, signed off by directors Peter Birbeck and Christian Woodall in February, show the company had a turnover of £8.49million, slightly up on their £8.17million figure for 2017.

This did represent a year-on-year pre-tax loss though, of £188,000, compared to a £145,000 profit 12 months before.

Listed assets includes their £675,000 Dunnockshaw premises and their offices at Boundary Mill in Nelson, which have been valued at £400,000.

The announcement has sent shockwaves through the printing industry, after a series of recent takeovers.

In late 2016 the company spent £932,000 on acquiring the assets of Hudson and Pearson, which was based at Dunnockshaw and had been in administration since September the previous year. This included a £186,400 Lancashire Business Growth Fund grant.

Later that year Calderprint moved in on Whitney Woods, a promotional gifts company, which used to be based in Rossendale. Back then the combined workforce was estimated at 140.

It is understood that Whitney Woods remains unaffected by the current situation at Calderprint, which is ultimately owned by Calderprint Pinnacle, through Calderprint Holdings.

Latest filings show Calderprint Pinnacle no longer has ‘significant control’ at Whitney Woods – however Peter Birbeck does.