Earlier this month, a spokesperson for Principal Mailing Solutions confirmed to Printweek on the phone that the business had ceased trading “at the back end of December”. He said it was seeking advice from FRP Advisory.

No further information regarding the reasons for the closure or the fate of the company’s staff was disclosed, although the spokesperson subsequently told Printweek this morning (26 January) that FRP was “looking to be appointed at the end of the month”.

He added he may be able to share more information following FRP’s appointment.

Principal Mailing’s registered company is Mainstream Direct Ltd. A first Gazette notice for compulsory strike off was filed for this company on Tuesday (23 January) at Companies House, but the compulsory strike off action was suspended the following day according to another notice.

Principal Mailing Solutions changed its trading name from Mainstream Direct around three years ago.

Principal offered a range of services spanning time sensitive, regulatory and business critical campaigns alongside direct mail and campaign management services, enclosing, and mailing.

It had its roots in trade printing but more recently primarily serviced direct clients.

In 2022, the business took on industry veteran Robin Skinner as its managing director, although Skinner left the company in July 2023.

As of summer 2022, it operated Xerox kit including a Baltoro inkjet press and employed 33 staff, although staffing levels at the point it ceased trading were unknown at the time of writing.