Pre-pack deal saves over 60 jobs at Ilkeston firm
All 63 jobs at an Ilkeston company, which can trace its history back over a hundred years, have been saved following a pre-pack sale.
The original business operated by LCP Pattern Book Makers, which trades as Lee Colourplan Pattern Book Makers, started life in 1909 in the North of England, moving to Derbyshire in 1970.
Administrators Kelly Burton and Lisa Hogg both of Sheffield-based Wilson Field were appointed on 7th August 2017. The business and assets have been sold for an undisclosed sum to GB Patterns Ltd, a company managed by Gareth Bolsover, a former director of LCP Pattern Book Makers.
Kelly Burton, director and insolvency practitioner at Wilson Field said: “The company enjoyed profitable trading in recent years but 2017 saw a 10% fall in turnover which created cash flow problems. This resulted in arrears with rent, HMRC and other suppliers.”
“GB Patterns Ltd bought the company with all 63 staff being transferred to the new company under TUPE. As well as saving jobs, the pre-packaged sale has mitigated employee termination claims estimated to total £414,018, resulting in a significantly better return to creditors”.
Burton added: “It is always good to see long-established businesses survive after facing difficulties. In this case with continued financial support from Regency Factors plc, we were able to work with all other parties to reach an outcome which would be in the best interests of creditors and at the same time preserve the business.”
Gareth Bolsover, owner of GB Patterns said: “This has been an uncertain and very difficult period for the business but the continued financial support from Regency and advice from the administrators at Wilson Field has made the whole process less stressful. Working closely with them has meant we have been able to keep all 63 staff. The future now looks very positive.
“With our strong reputation within our niche sector and with the same staff team, we are confident that the company has a viable future and is able to offer our customers the same high quality of products and service.”
The business will continue to trade from premises at Crompton Road, Ilkeston, specialising in the manufacture of fabric, wall/floor covering sample books, swatches, PVCU and cardboard binders, on behalf of manufacturing clients, including Colefax & Fowler and Laura Ashley.
Mark Wilkinson of Shulmans LLP, solicitors of Leeds advised and dealt with legal work with asset sales through Robert McArdle of David Currie & Co.
