A letter was sent to 36 employees at the G&H Print Services, formerly Gask & Hawley, subsidiary, followed by a meeting at 1.30 this afternoon (30 April).

Staff were informed that the plant would be closing for two weeks due to the loss of two major contracts. They were told to return to work on 13 May 2010 but will be kept informed about the situation in the meantime.

Unite regional officer Alison Jones told PrintWeek: "The company says it can lay off staff; we are investigating whether there is a lay-off clause in the guys' contracts.

"Although a two-week lay-off is a major financial hardship, they are looking longer term - there is a major concern there."

Jones said that the company had agreed to meet her next Wednesday (5 May) before a member meeting.

G&H closed its Chorley web offset site in December 2008 after announcing plans to create one web offset facility, with 45 jobs lost. It underwent a rebrand in 2007 when it dropped the Gask & Hawley name.

G&H was unavailable for comment as PrintWeek went to press.