Two publishers from Ceredigion have bought the publishing department of Gomer Press. From the beginning of April onwards, Y Lolfa and Atebol will be in charge of the press’ rich backlist, dating back to 1946 when Gomer acquired Gwasg Aberystwyth and which includes the Sali Mali brand, one of Wales’ most loved children’s characters.

Garmon Gruffudd on behalf of Y Lolfa said,
“It is a tremendous privilege and responsibility for us to offer a home to a list of books that are so wide-ranging, so rich and so culturally important. We will do our utmost to protect the list and ensure that the array of books published by Gomer will be available for future generations to enjoy.”

Owain Saunders-Jones on behalf of Atebol added,
“There is a strong publishing industry here in Ceredigion, which is also an important part of the creative sector in Wales. This is a sector that offers opportunities for all as well as providing local employment. We are pleased that we have been able to work with Gomer and Y Lolfa to ensure a future for the rich treasure trove of Gomer publications which is such a big part of our cultural legacy as Welsh people”.

Gomer will go back to its roots in focusing on the printing department which employs 56 colleagues, a significant number of whom live locally, and looks forward to continuing to produce books of the highest quality for customers in Wales as well as Britain’s most prestigious Institutions and Museums.

Jonathan Lewis, on behalf of Gomer Press, said,
“I would like to thank all of our authors, editors and designers, the Books Council of Wales and everyone for their support over the decades, while wishing Atebol and Y Lolfa every success in this initiative.”

Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales, said:
“Over the years, Gomer Press has published some of our most important authors and, as a Books Council, we are pleased that the company’s rich backlist is being preserved for the future, while also strengthening the offer of two other publishing companies in Wales. Our thanks to Gomer for their valuable contribution to publishing in Wales and we look forward to continue working with them as they focus on book printing and binding. We also wish every success to Atebol and Y Lolfa at the beginning of this new chapter in the history of both companies.”

For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact Heulwen Davies at Llais Cymru; post@llais.cymru/ 07817591930.