Background
The firm that became Chatto & Windus originated in the 1850s from the bookselling business of John Camden Hotten. It became Chatto & Windus in 1873 (incorporated as Chatto and Windus Limited 13th April 1953) and continued publishing British and American literature until its purchase by Random House in 1987.
1941 Alma Park site was originally used by the RAF Lincolnshire Regiment during the Second World War – opening in Dec 1941 and closing after War ended, in Aug 1946. 1969
The firm that became Chatto & Windus originated in the 1850s from the bookselling business of John Camden Hotten. It became Chatto & Windus in 1873 (incorporated as Chatto and Windus Limited 13th April 1953) and continued publishing British and American literature until its purchase by Random House in 1987.
1941 Alma Park site was originally used by the RAF Lincolnshire Regiment during the Second World War – opening in Dec 1941 and closing after War ended, in Aug 1946. 1969
- UK publisher Chatto & Windus merged with Jonathan Cape.
- Whilst known as Chatto, Bodley Head & Cape Services, Grantham Book Services (GBS) started distributing from Alma Park in May 1975.
- Site officially opened by Michael Foot MP on 23rd Sept 1975. The official spade can still be found at GBS!
- Random House UK was founded in 1987 with the acquisition of Jonathan Cape, Chatto & Windus and Bodley Head.
- Became known as “Grantham Book Services”.
- GBS was the first to be awarded the prestigious British Book Awards’ “Distributor of the Year Award”.
- Bertelsmann acquired The Random House Group.
- Random House Distribution Division created; although each company retained its separate identity for its clients. This was made up from Grantham Book Services, The Book Service and Transworld (Wellingborough)
- Manningtree established as a centralised returns facility for TBS, GBS and Transworld
- The Manningtree Returns centre commenced operating the Industry Returns Initiative
- GBS celebrated 30 years at its Alma Park site
- GBS consolidated its seven warehouses into one, known as “334” – creating substantially more capacity for current and future clients (334,000 sq ft).