There are fears for the future of around 60 skilled local jobs, after the owners of long-standing Aberystwyth firm Cambrian Printers are said to have told staff of plans to relocate to South Wales.

Cambrian Printers, in Llanbadarn, was bought by Pensord from the Read family in 2017.

The company told the Cambrian News today that communication with employees is at a “very early stage” and, “as we are yet to commence formal consultation with the employees it would not be appropriate to comment any further at this point”.

But local Senedd member Elin Jones said today that the company that owns the Cambrian Printers has told its workforce of its intention to relocate to Blackwood in South Wales.

Miss Jones said: “News that Pensord has told its workforce at the Cambrian Printers in Llanbadarn Fawr that it will move production to Blackwood in South Wales is extremely disappointing.

“There are currently roughly 60 staff based in Aberystwyth, and although I understand that workers may be transferred to Blackwood, this will not be possible for most. For many, their families and homes are here.

“The printing and publishing sector is central to the Ceredigion economy and Cambrian Printers is a long established leader in the printing sector in Wales. The skills of this workforce are very valuable here.

“I have raised this issue as a matter of urgency with the Welsh Government’s economy minister, and have asked him to work with the county council to try and retain these valuable jobs in Ceredigion.”

In a statement from the senior team at Cambrian Printers, they said: “The name Cambrian Printers has been a cornerstone of the Aberystwyth business community for many years. The company was purchased a little over three years ago with a determination to continue that tradition long into the future and despite Brexit and difficult trading conditions over that period, we have been successful in making progress and had returned he company to profit in 2018 and 2019.

“We are certain we are not alone in saying that the crisis we now face, in the wake of coronavirus is a mountain to climb and so we are considering what changes we need to make to ensure the continuation of the business.

“Communication with employees is at a very early stage and as we are yet to commence formal consultation with the employees it would not be appropriate to comment any further at this point.”

Cambrian Printers, established in 1860 as a newspaper publisher – and which formerly printed the Cambrian News – was owned by the Read family, when it was bought in 2017 by magazine printer Pensord, based in Pontllanfraith, Gwent.