A PRINTING firm has announced a deal to use paper with anti-viral protection to combat Covid-19.

Specialist paper maker James Cropper, based in Kendal, will supply H&H Reeds, Southend Road, Penrith, with their PaperGard product.

Businesses, such as those in the hospitality sector, care homes, doctors’ surgeries and schools, will be able to use it for items like menus, logbooks, stationery and hotel registers.

It is anticipated the self-sanitising paper will be in high demand as businesses prepare to reopen after Boris Johnson recently announced his roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions.

Jonathan Nagle, business development manager for H&H Reeds, said: “This arrangement means we can provide local businesses with products for a non-prohibitive price.

"Industries like hospitality and tourism can make their working environments more Covid-19 secure without extortionate investment, while reducing microbial loads on surfaces that are commonly touched by their customers.

“To support customers further we will provide digital branding to certify their use of James Cropper’s PaperGard protected paper, and stickers for point of sale. 

"This we believe will help them reassure their customers and regain confidence.”

Richard Bracewell, marketing director at James Cropper said: “We are delighted to be working directly with H&H Reeds, to support throughout the region with their printing requirements."

Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbrian Tourism, said: “This collaboration will be of enormous benefit to so many businesses across our region, helping to provide much needed reassurance to customers.

"Obviously, it has been an incredibly difficult year for hospitality and tourism. 

"As such, innovative partnerships such as this are most welcomed, which can really help enable these industries to pick themselves back up again and begin to thrive once more.”