Fourth-generation Barnwell Print in Aylsham in liquidation

Barnwell Print, based in Aylsham and owned by avid divers Julian and Lincoln Barnwell, entered voluntary liquidation last week.

The business has been in the Barnwell family for 115 years, but has struggled since the pandemic due to rising costs.

Joint managing directors Julian and Lincoln are known in Norfolk for their discovery of HMS Gloucester, which sank off the coast of Great Yarmouth in 1682 with James Stuart, the Duke of York - the future King James II - on board.

Around a dozen staff were made redundant at Barnwell on Friday. Some had worked there for 30 years.

Barnwell Print in Aylsham, owned by brothers Julian and Lincoln Barnwell, has gone into liquidation (Image: Supplied) The Barnwell Print business has now been taken over by former competitor Micropress Printers, based in Reydon, Suffolk.

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Barnwell's 12,129 sq ft unit at Aylsham's Dunkirk industrial estate was listed as available for long term lease by estate agent Brown & Co back in August, which raised suspicion among staff.

However, it was only on Friday when they learned the news.

One worker, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "It really is a blow for a lot of people who had been there for so many years."

The Aylsham site will remain open in the short-term, with the business's production capabilities and customers being transferred over to Micropress.

Both Julian and Lincoln Barnwell and Richard Pryor - a long-serving manager - are all set to continue working at the Aylsham site, which will now be operated by Micropress.

Brothers Julian and Lincoln Barnwell, joint managing directors of Barnwell Print (Image: Adam Barker) Julian Barnwell said: “Coming out of the pandemic with lower sales, entering a period of higher costs with an energy crisis and still trying to operate in a very competitive market with reduced margins has sadly proved to be too much.

“However, we see Micropress as an excellent fit for us with their modern equipment, continued multi-million-pound investment and strong position in the marketplace.

“Up until now, they were one of our biggest competitors, so we know how good they are. Joining forces with Micropress makes us more competitive with better systems, but we keep that personal and knowledgeable Barnwell Print contact with our customers which they are accustomed to and appreciate.”

A letter Barnwell Print employees received last Friday (September 20) from joint managing director Julian Barnwell (Image: Supplied) Micropress is owned and run by two brothers, James and Rob Cross, and their father Mike is chairman of the company.

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The Suffolk firm had been looking to expand its business into Norfolk, and absorbing its former rival Barnwell is considered to be the first step in achieving this.

However, Micropress wants to move the office closer to Norwich and set up a Norfolk hub, and Barnwell's Aylsham unit is still listed as available for lease for £50,000 per annum (£4,167 £4,167 per calendar month).

Barnwell Print's unit at Aylsham's Dunkirk industrial estate has been listed for long term lease by estate agent Brown & Co since August this year. It is also listed on property site Right Move (Image: Brown & Co) Rob Cross, micropress joint managing director, said: "We are excited to welcome Barnwell Print customers to the Micropress family.

"As we are also a carbon-balanced printer, we share a commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable print solutions, exceptional customer service, and competitive pricing.

"We look forward to serving Barnwell Print customers and building strong, lasting partnerships.”

Barnwell Print at Dunkirk industrial estate in Aylsham (Image: Supplied) The Barnwell brothers have said all existing customers' artwork files are being retained and reprint orders and regular work can be replaced.

Lincoln Barnwell added: “On behalf of Julian and myself, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the employees of Barnwell Print Ltd, both present and past, for their unwavering support of the business over the years.

"Their dedication and hard work have been the backbone of the company's longevity and success.

"We are also very appreciative of our long standing and loyal customers and suppliers.”