The new company directors are Lisa Tapper, Mike Naish (formerly Stagecraft Ltd production manager), Kevin Hughes (former projects manager) and Simon Sketchley, who has joined the company from AJS Theatre Lighting and Stage Supplies, where he was general manager.
Tapper reports that eight key members of staff have been retained as part of the new operation, while a further eight have lost their jobs.
Tapper was also confirmed that all forward orders on Stagecraft Ltd's books will be honoured by the new company, although she was unable to comment on the reasons for Stagecraft Ltd's failure, or on the company's debts, which are rumoured to be considerable. However, it is believed that the company's exposure to a faltering corporate events market is largely to blame, with a couple of expected projects recently failing to come to fruition.
The news of Stagecraft Ltd's liquidation comes at the same time as the news that Northolt-based AV rental company Show Presentation Services Ltd (SPS) has recently called in the administrators. The company, which employed over 60 people, serviced the conference production market and dealt directly with a number of corporate clients in a range of sectors including financial services, telecommunications and manufacturing. Accountancy firm Grant Thornton is dealing with the administration of SPS and creditors have been contacted.
(Lee Baldock)
