Graham & Brown production facility in Blackburn closes

Graham & Brown announced in August the site at India Mill would close to increase investment in digital capabilities at its new low carbon production site in Padiham.

The closure has been described as disappointing for Blackburn.

Approximately 100 jobs have been lost as part of the closure, which Graham & Brown said was a response to “ongoing structural changes in the global wallcoverings market,” which has seen demand for traditionally manufactured wallpaper reduce, and demand for more environmentally friendly, design-led, and digitally-printed products increase.

Staff at the site in India Mill had their last day today (December 15) (Image: NQ)

The business, which became carbon neutral last year, has pledged to become net zero by 2030.

Its new digital printing site – which it believes is the most advanced, sustainable wallcoverings production facility in Europe – uses 100 per cent renewable energy, solvent-free inks, and sustainably-sourced paper.

It added digital printing made it easier to access its archive of 35,000 designs and it planned to expand on ranges and volumes produced at the new facility significantly.

One worker, who was clocking in for the final time after 30 years with the business, and who asked not to be named, said: "Today is the last day for all of us at India Mill, staff in production.

"Lots of us have been working there for 30-odd years, but the company doesn't care, just about making more money."

Another worker, who also asked to remain anonymous, added: "All the production staff are losing their jobs today, due to outsourcing.

"Some are very upset, especially the ones who have been at the company for years and years."

They said workers were meeting at the Florence pub, in Moss Street, Daisyfield, for a drink after their final shifts.

READ MORE: Graham & Brown plan to close Blackburn manufacturing site

Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “It’s obviously disappointing that Graham and Brown are closing.

"They’ve been a stable feature of the town’s industrial landscape for many years but we recognise that their business model has changed and they need to move on.

“We wish them continued success in their new home and we hope that their employees will find new work in the town’s busy jobs market.”                 

At the time of the announcement, Andrew Graham, chief executive of Graham & Brown, said: “The global wallcoverings market has been undergoing structural change for many years due to the growth of online retail and the category’s contraction in physical retail, trends which have accelerated post-Covid.

Production will move to a new facility in Padiham (Image: NQ)

“Due to reducing demand for traditionally-manufactured products and rising production inefficiencies as a result, our manufacturing operation at India Mill in Blackburn is no longer fit for purpose.

“As a business that’s been innovating the market for over 75 years, we need to look ahead and respond to these changes to make sure Graham & Brown remains at the very forefront of our industry, with a more efficient, flexible, sustainable, and digital-led operation capable of delivering our customers’ changing needs and meeting our ESG goals.”