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Deal to revive Butler and Tanner printers

A team of former directors of famous Frome printing firm, Butler and Tanner, is in talks with financial backers and administrators to find a way of saving the company.

 A deal to save book publishers Butler and Tanner may be signed by the end of the week, according to news announced on 2nd June.

The Frome company is famous for its high quality colour printing, with clients such as Jamie Oliver and Delia Smith.  Unfortunately it was closed by former boss Mike Dolan in May with the loss of more than 250 jobs.

The decision to close followed an industrial dispute about changes to working practices and conditions at the town's biggest employer.

A rescue package that would save at least half the jobs has been put together by a team of former directors led by Kevin Sarney, backed by two fellow directors Dave Mills and Jeremy Snell and former managing director Peter Maunder.

Talks have been taking place between the directors, the administrators and financial backers for several weeks and all the parties are hoping they can reach an agreement by the end of the week.

The rescue team has expressed their  confidence in the potential of Butler and Tanner, recalling the good profits which were achieved for the 15 years to 2003. The business suffered setbacks due to the high costs and competition from overseas, but they hope that there is a future for colour book printing in Frome.

The unions have been supportive of the proposals and welcome the possibility of saving some of the local jobs.

 Meanwhile some of the former Butler and Tanner employees have been considering alternative careers and taking up the offer of free training in Inforamation Technology  through Frome Job Centre.  The first training sessions have already taken place at the brand new Saxonvale Centre.  Other redundant employees have been attending one-to-one appointments where they can look at their skills and how they match up to local job opportunities.  Alan Madge of Dorset and Somerset Job Centre Plus has been successful in a bid to central government for discretionary funding to pay for the training and advice.  He said 'the Rapid Response funding has meant that we are able to offer a much more intensive service to the former employees of Butler and Tanner.'