Calendar company’s ‘Keep Calm’ pledge over VE Day date change
Print Solutions
Britain’s biggest calendar company will ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ following a sudden Government decision to move a Bank Holiday to mark the anniversary of VE Day.
The change of date means many businesses like Rose Calendars who manufacturer high quality promotional calendars, have been affected because they have to print in advance to meet demand.
Company boss Michael Rose, whose great, great uncle started the business in 1908, said this was because many of the 2020 calendars had been printed already and in some cases will be distributed to customers as early as next month.
He said to meet customer requirements both nationally and internationally, calendars are manufactured well ahead of the start of each year and the business is currently working on its 2021 products.
The Bank Holiday will now be on May 8 – a move back of four days – to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day. The day when the Allied forces officially won victory in Europe, marking the beginning of the end of World War Two.
The May Day Bank Holiday has only been moved once before – it was changed from May 1 to May 8 in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of VE-Day.
Michael is the fourth generation Rose running the Colchester based family company which is the UK’s largest calendar manufacturer producing around two million calendars a year.
He said, ‘It is great news that the Government has decided to do this to mark the momentous and important anniversary in the history of this country and of Europe.
‘However, it means we have had to spring into action to ensure our customers get the right date in their 2020 calendars so we are producing special commemorative stickers to highlight the occasion. As a reminder of the date, customers will be able to use a selection of the stickers, not only on their calendars, but on other promotional materials.
‘Due to Brexit companies like ours have been buying materials in advance to keep costs as low as possible given the unpredictable economic climate. We therefore produce some of our 2020 stock well in advance.’
Chairman Chris Rose recalls how Rose Calendars faced difficult circumstances 75 years ago during the war when employees were in active service and supplies such as paper were difficult to procure. These challenges were met however, and despite the war calendars continued to be produced to meet customer demand and were printed on whatever paper could be found.
You can find out more about Rose Calendars at www.rosecalendars.co.uk
