Midlands Publishing Groups deal to buy Century Litho (Truro) is off after Century managing director David Tayler failed to respond to the 31 July deadline set by Midlands chief executive Nicholas Humes (PrintWeek, 13 July).


Regrettably, Mr Tayler has chosen not to get back to us, said Humes. Its hugely disappointing.


Humes statement marks the end of a three-month saga. In PrintWeek 18 May he said his group was on the verge of completing the acquisition of an 8.75m-turnover web offset printer, which was revealed as Century Litho (Truro).


But on a brighter note, Midlands is still in negotiations to buy Beshara Press (PrintWeek, 20 July). And Humes was visiting another possible acquisition this week, although he declined to reveal further details.