LEIGH’S oldest company is embarking on a fresh start after a tough time in the economic downturn.

Collins and Darwell Printers, on Hope Street, was established in 1891 and has been owned and run by the Travers family since 1925.

Directors – and brother and sister team – Chris Travers and Nicola Westwell have steered the business through the difficulties under the watchful eye of their father and managing director Mike Travers and held an open day to relaunch the company on Thursday.

Leigh Journal: Directors Nicola Westwell and Chris Travers Directors Nicola Westwell and Chris Travers

Directors Nicola Westwell and Chris Travers

Nicola said: “We have put up some new signage and painted the whole building so we wanted to announce that to the world. The open day was really positive and we had a lot of companies come along who didn’t know how big we were or the extent of what we did.”

The company is passionate about using local companies where it can and is hoping to promote this ethos by hosting the first Leigh Business Expo at Leigh Sports Village on July 11.

Nicola said: “We are holding the expo to try to get local companies to work together, talk to each other and trade with each other instead of going to London or China. We went to the Wigan expo and gained five new customers so we thought why can’t Leigh have the same sort of thing.

“I think people realise now that they want to communicate and speak to their buyers and customers face to face so we are hoping to encourage that.

“Last year was a really tough year for us and Chris and I are determined that the company will not go under on our watch.

“If the expo is successful we hope to hold it every year and our new signage and exposure should help us to let everyone in Leigh who we are.”

To find out more about the expo visit www.leighbusiness-expo2014.org.uk.