NS's betrayal of trust in local Blackpool paper. 19/10/06
Discussion
BETRAYED.... stabbed in the back...misled. The bitter reaction of shocked TVR workers was understandable. Over the last six months they have been treated disgracefully by a management that frankly shouldn't be trusted with running a sweet stall-never mind one of the prestige names of world car manufacturing. The "will they won't they" farce surrounding the company move out of Bispham would not have been out of place in a West End theatre. In April, as rumours of dwindling orders book proved too be true. TVR announced it would leave Bristol Avenue. At the time it was more than a little odd that the company would not say where they might be heading. There then came protracted negotiations as Blackpool Council bent over backwards to keep TVR in town. In quick succession they were moving to a new home in South Shore, then to a temporary home at the Arvin exhaust factory and then staying put untill a new site could be completed on Blackpool Business Park. In the midst of this merry-go-round, a story that raised eyebrows across the town. Workers were faced with a temporary shut down after the failure to order necessary parts halted production. The thought occured: Is that any way to run a multi-million pound business? And then yesterday's bombshell decision. That news was broken to many of the shocked staff-not by the company's hopelessly out of depth management-but an unwitting Gazette reporter. Workers are understandably furious, upset and worried about their futures. Many have spent years working at TVR and ridden through the peaks and troughs of the motor industry. Today they have to face up to searching for new jobs. Legislation must ensure that workers rights are protected. Given the yo-yo stance of company bosses it's a necessary safeguard. So a proud history is to ground into the dust. When Bristol Avenue closes it will end an era for Blackpool's manufacturing industry that could and should still be thriving. It's a sad day for the motor industry. A sad day for lovers of the TVR marque. But most of all it's a very sad day for Blackpool and workers who deserve a better employer.
Taken from Blackpool Evening Gazette. 19/10/06.
THE Gazette supports the press complaints Commission's code of practice. If you have any complaints, compliments or suggestions write to David Helliwell, The Editor, AVROE Crescent, Blackpool Business Park, Blackpool, FY4 2DP.
Taken from Blackpool Evening Gazette. 19/10/06.
THE Gazette supports the press complaints Commission's code of practice. If you have any complaints, compliments or suggestions write to David Helliwell, The Editor, AVROE Crescent, Blackpool Business Park, Blackpool, FY4 2DP.
Edited by johnnytvr on Thursday 26th October 15:53
Edited by johnnytvr on Wednesday 1st November 17:03
[quote=johnnytvr] Workers were faced with a temporary shut down after the failure to order necessary parts halted production. The thought occured: Is that any way to run a multi-million pound business?
Hear hear, except for this bit- just a quibble, but I know for a fact the parts were ordered, the suppliers just won't send them if they haven't been paid! Mean of them really...
Years ago, some of them were happy to supply stuff with a promise of "your cheque will go out later this week", but so many broken promises and creative stories from the accounts department have worn them down, (remember the boy who cried wolf?!) and now most of them only supply on a pro-forma basis- they won't let TVR open an account.
You're right, johnnytvr, it's no way to run a multi-million pound business- or a sweet shop!
Hear hear, except for this bit- just a quibble, but I know for a fact the parts were ordered, the suppliers just won't send them if they haven't been paid! Mean of them really... Years ago, some of them were happy to supply stuff with a promise of "your cheque will go out later this week", but so many broken promises and creative stories from the accounts department have worn them down, (remember the boy who cried wolf?!) and now most of them only supply on a pro-forma basis- they won't let TVR open an account.
You're right, johnnytvr, it's no way to run a multi-million pound business- or a sweet shop!
Has anyone actually give thought to the fact that Nick Smoking'something'inski might actually be Bi-polar (manic..)
and the presure of actually running a big business might be
took much for the guy.
Seems - one week we have on decision and next week - they are off
in another direction.
Must have been a truely dreadful place to work - as an employee or manager being given new direction every week.
Hope he eventually sells the co. to one of the buyers who can run the place properly.
Guess - I'm gonna get flamed now.. better get the ice suit.
and the presure of actually running a big business might be
took much for the guy.
Seems - one week we have on decision and next week - they are off
in another direction.
Must have been a truely dreadful place to work - as an employee or manager being given new direction every week.
Hope he eventually sells the co. to one of the buyers who can run the place properly.
Guess - I'm gonna get flamed now.. better get the ice suit.
mellow yellow said:
On Radio Lancashire last Thursday..Martin Lilley accused Smolenski of treating TVR as a toy .... the only trouble is he's treated the lives of his employees as playthings.
Im glad to see Lilley has piped up and given his opinion on the situation
You wouldnt happen to have a link to the interview would you or anyone for that matter?
I tend to see it as the same thing, he wanted something other than banking and daddy bought TVR...maybe wrong, but these are my sentiments at the moment!
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