New site for Sam’s firm in Swindon - First published Thursday 14 May 2015 in Swindon  News by Eve Buckland

SAMANTHA Cameron and the Royal family’s favourite stationery company has moved to a new Swindon location.

Luxury stationery and leather goods firm Smythson, whose products are used by the Royal Family and which employs the Prime Minister’s wife Samantha Cameron, has moved to the newly built Birch Industrial Estate at Kembrey Park.

The business is one of only three in the whole country to hold three royal warrants, which means it supplies goods directly to members of the monarchy.

Samantha Cameron began her career at the revered firm in 1996 before rising to creative director a year later. She is now employed as a part-time creative consultant with the business.

Smythson has moved from its South Marston Industrial Estate site, to a fully refurbished three units at Birch Industrial Estate at Kembrey Park. The finishing touches are currently being made to the new location totaling 34,800 sq ft from where it designs, prints and finishes most of its luxury products ­ using many traditional techniques such as copper etching.

Founded in 1887 by Frank Smythson, the company sold writing paper and calling cards to wealthy Victorians from a shop in London’s upmarket New Bond Street. It invented the iconic lightweight pocket diary in 1907.

Clients have included longest-reigning monarch Queen Victoria and film legend Grace Kelly.

The brand has popped up all over the world starting from its flagship store on Bond Street, and moving to Hong Kong and New York’s Fifth Avenue.

The units were let by Swindon property agents Loveday on behalf of owners Caisson Investment Management.

Loveday Partner Alastair Andrews said the units had been let immediately following the departure of the previous tenants ­ a further sign that the demand for good quality industrial units was improving.

Swindon’s commercial property market has bounced back strongly over the past year after a sharp downturn during the recession with a number of new lettings around the town, including offices and industrial units on its business parks.

Alastair Andrews, Partner at Loveday commented ‘My client is delighted to have secured Frank Smythson Limited as a tenant at the Birch Industrial Estate and wishes them every success with the ongoing development of their business. Demand for good quality industrial units has improved significantly over the past 18 months and the seamless transition to Smythsons is a further sign of a strengthening market”.

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