EMPLOYEES whose jobs were rescued when Sessions of York went into administration last year are facing upheaval again after the business announced it was leaving York.

Paragon Print & Packaging Group bought the assets of the former Sessions of York labelling business in April 2010, taking on 40 members of about 100 staff affected by the collapse of the 200-year-old business.

The sale did not, however, include the Huntington Road premises where the business is currently based, which is being sold for redevelopment.

Mark Lapping, managing director of Paragon Print & Packaging Group, said the company had conducted an extensive search during the past 14 months, but could not find a suitable alternative location in the York area. It is entering into a consultation period with staff over a proposal to move the operation to a new 42,000 sq ft facility in Boston, Lincolnshire.

He said: “We are committed to delivering the best solution for our employees and the future prosperity of the business. We will consider all proposals put forward by employees during the consultation period to ensure we make the right decision.

“I would like to assure customers that production will not be affected during this process.”

Rick Smith, strategic development director, said the company would discuss travel and relocation incentives as part of the consultation. But he said they would have to move out of the York site within the next two to three months.

He said the move was “thoroughly regrettable” and “not for want of trying” after the company had come close to securing a site in Selby which didn’t work out.

He said York’s commercial property market was “out of alignment” with the rest of the country in terms of rates and charges as well as finding the right size property.