End Of A Chapter For Historic Acton Bookbinders
Blissetts moves from its Roslin Road base and handed over to next generation
(Original owners Frederick and Mary in 1920)
A historic Acton family business, which bound the log books of inspirational flight pilot Douglas Bader, is shutting up shop in W3 and moving borough.
Blissetts Bookbinders, has been based on Roslin Road since 1962 and was one of the first of the new factories there.
The business was originally set up in 1920 in the bedroom of the Grandfather of current owners, Gary Blisset and his son Chris, on Palmerston Road.
(Chris and Gary Blissett )
Blissetts has undergone many transformations over the years; growing from a single storey to two unit building and expanding from bookbinding into print, digital, and restoration.
As well as dealing with ''general'' customers, in 2010 the company was awarded the Royal Warrant by Her Majesty the Queen for the quality of its products and exceptional service. They also look after books, scripts and photo albums for other Royals, actors and even the Pope.
( Blissetts on Roslin Road in 1963)
( Blissetts in 2020)
Gary Blissett says times have changed and it was becoming increasingly inconvenient based where they were and they had no choice but to transfer the business elsewhere:
" We are moving as the whole area is being developed and these premises are becoming more difficult to use, no parking anywhere for our staff or visitors and it is getting worse. The carpark opposite was taken over by the council and even delivery lorries were threatened with parking tickets.''
The move will also see another big change, Chris, Gary's son will be taking over the reins, but dad will provide support as long as needed.
Gary says; ''Yes I am sad to be going. I have working here since 1979 and at one stage we had 3 Blissett generations working together. It will be a strange thing to say we are now a Hounslow based business rather than Ealing.''
But the firm will continue to remain Blissetts, as Gary says, ''A Family business like this stays in the blood, I would say almost in our DNA, My Grandmother worked here for 72 years, my Father for 51 years, myself 42 years (and still going on) and my son Chris already 12 years."
The move is currently underway and has involved a lot of clearing out with more than 10 tons of paper and book waste and old equipment being recycled.
The new premises are at E1 – 8 Shield Drive. West Cross Industrial Park. Brentford, TW8 9EX
Annemarie Flanagan
25 January 2021