Toast - Series 7: Paperchase

Why did the popular stationery chain, Paperchase, end up closing all of its shops?

The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, investigates in the company of resident entrepreneur, Sam White.

Paperchase was founded by two former art students in the late 1960s and went on to become the design darling of the high street, known for its charming greeting cards, wrapping paper, stationery, gifts and art materials.

It expanded across Britain and beyond to America, the Middle East and parts of Europe.

What made Paperchase so special? And how could decades of success slide into decline then shop closures?

Sean speaks to:

-Chris and Rebecca Pond whose father, Eddie Pond, was Paperchase's co-founder -Timothy Melgund - who ran Paperchase under different ownership for over 20 years and led two management buyouts. -Liz Faulkner - from Jelly Armchair, a company that designs greeting cards and supplied Paperchase.

At the end, Sam White has to come up with her own conclusions about the fate of Paperchase based on what she has just heard.

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Produced by Jon Douglas, Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.