Freight Books’ future looks grim as provisional liquidator is appointed

A former Scottish publisher of theyearisonthebrinkofgoing into liquidation.

Glasgow-based Freight Books is officially under the control of a provisional liquidator as last-ditch talks continue to save the acclaimed publisher.

The firm, which boasts the likes of Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh and novelist Janice Galloway on its publishing roster, had been taken to court by printing company Bell & Bain over unpaid work.

Documents filed at Companies House on 20 October showed WRI Associates had 0 Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh is on Freight’s roster been appointed provisional liquidator for Freight.

The future of the firm was thrown into peril when cofounder Adrian Searle left the company in April after citing “irreconcilable differences over strategic direction”. The publisher’s book division was advertised for sale in June.

Fellow co-founder Davinder Samrai wrote to authors four weeks ago, saying: “If you would like to buy stock of your titles, it may be prudent to act sooner rather than later. I appreciate this may cause unease, but depending on quantities I may be able to supply at a better discount than the regular author discount.”

This year’s Dundee International Book Prize was another casualty. The winner was to receive a publishing contract, but Freight’s difficulties led to the organisers cancelling the award.