A FORMER Bradford printing works operated by US-owned Hallmark Cards is on the market.

Offers of around £2.25 million are being sought for the site at Dawson Lane, Tong, where the US-owned greetings card giant is now based.

In December Hallmark cards announced it was moving its head office from Bingley Road, where it had been based for around 30 years. That site will also be sold.

It stressed that all 489 head office staff would join the 118 at Dawson Lane and no job losses were expected.

The 5.47-acre site near the South Bradford ring road houses 180,000 sq ft of single-storey manufacturing and distribution buildings next to Hallmark’s headquarters and main distribution centre.

The former print works became surplus to requirements after Hallmark ended in-house production.

In 2014 the company cut 300 jobs at Dawson Lane through outsourcing 80 per cent of card production from Bradford to the Far East, while signing an exclusive deal with Shipley printing firm Herbert Walker to become its new UK manufacturing base for the remaining 20 per cent.

Mike Dove, partner at property agents Dove Haigh Phillips which is handling the sale, said: “This rare and outstanding opportunity for the refurbishment or redevelopment of a top Bradford industrial site has arisen because of Hallmark’s commitment to its European headquarters in Dawson Lane.

“Following the company’s decision to switch its head office from Bingley Road to its main distribution centre at Dawson Lane, it is now enhancing this site, close to the city’s ring road. This is a prime opportunity and immediately available for the West Yorkshire market. "

Mr Dove said the site and buildings provided several development opportunities, including creating a smaller unit with enhanced loading and parking areas. Alternatively, it could be developed for housing, subject to planning approval.

Hallmark said consolidating its operations at Dawson Lane reflected its current size and needs and would bring head office and distribution operations closer and also create a dedicated creative and design space.making the business more connected .

Steve Wright, Hallmark's international chief executive, said: “We’re excited about the opportunity that moving to Dawson Lane presents. The essence of our company is design and creativity and the relocation gives us an opportunity to re-shape our head office and ensure that it fits our needs as both a creative and customer focussed business.

“It gives us a real chance to bring our Bradford-based teams together under one roof and create a new culture in the process. We’re committed to Bradford, we’ve been here for more than 30 years and we’re proud to be based in the city.”