A source claiming to be an ex-employee told PrintWeek that staff had been told that the firm would be liquidated and "shown the door".

The source further alleged that salaried staff had last been paid for March and that factory staff were three weeks in arrears when the firm closed.

Calls to GW Chapman & Sons Print went unanswered, while insolvency practitioner Leonard Curtis confirmed that it was advising the business, which it said had not entered liquidation.

However, Leonard Curtis confirmed that it "expected developments" this afternoon (11 May) while the registered address of GW Chapman & Sons Print has now changed to that of Leonard Curtis' London office in Marble Arch.

According to Companies House, GW Chapman director David Chapman's appointment at the company was terminated on 19 April, a day after he was declared bankrupt on the Insolvency Register. An Anthony David Chapman was appointed director on the same day.

The previous incarnation of GW Chapman & Sons last went into administration in December 2009, when it was sold back to its previous director. Insolvency practitioner SFP was appointed to the Middlesex-based printer before selling it to GW Chapman & Sons Stationery the following week.

GW Chapman & Sons Stationery changed its name to GW Chapman & Sons Print two days later. Both companies hold David Chapman as director and Christine Chapman as secretary.