A new care home in Saffron Walden has been named after the Bailey family who previously owned the site.

Bailey Lodge, the new Care UK home on Radwinter Road, is named after Sidney and Thelma Bailey, founders of Universal Tape Printing Co. (UTP).

The company, which was established in 1958, manufactured on the site from 1977 to mid-1990, creating its own printing machines for self-adhesive tape, including Christmas tape and cellulose film for food packaging.

Sidney Bailey at UTPSidney Bailey at UTP (Image: UTP) UTP's customer base included brands such as Cadbury's, Nestlé, Boots, McVitie's and Guinness.

The couple's daughter Karina Bailey-Watson said: "On behalf of my dear late parents, Sidney and Thelma 'Bobbie' Bailey, who founded what became one of the largest manufacturing companies in Saffron Walden, especially my father who ran the business for about 25 years, I would like to thank Care UK for naming Bailey Lodge in their memory on the site of UTP’s last factory.  

"UTP employed a large number of local people, several of whom stayed loyal to the company for many years, which Mum and Dad really appreciated.

The UTP site on Radwinter RoadThe UTP site on Radwinter Road (Image: UTP) "I remember my parents saying that a company’s biggest asset is its staff and everyone, no matter what their job, is an important cog in the wheel of success.

"It means a lot to have my parents remembered in their hometown in this way. I wish the care home and its future residents all the best."

Sidney Bailey remained as chairman and managing director of UTP until his retirement in 1983.

The company was subsequently acquired and changed ownership multiple times before closing in 2017.

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Marcus Sorrell, development project manager at Care UK, said: "The home naming process is one of the key milestones for a new home, and we wanted to root the new home firmly in area by honouring the site’s history.

"Saffron Walden has a rich manufacturing history, and as previous owners of the site, it felt only right that we pay homage to the Bailey family who are part of the new care home’s heritage.

"We’re very much looking forward to the home taking shape and opening with its name of Bailey Lodge in 2026."