I must admit that the news last Friday that Kevin Sarney’s bid for the Butler and Tanner had been accepted (and as of 5.30pm last night, signed and sealed), was, well a surprise to say the least.
The B&T saga has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride, admittedly with more downs than ups. But I don’t mind confessing that as a journalist, and therefore a wizened cynic by default, I was pretty sceptical that anything would come of the rescue bid, essentially because the company was all but dead.
However, I was wrong. It’s great news that the Butler and Tanner name will live on, although presumably in a slightly different leaner form, not least for the ex-staff that may be offered jobs at the new firm.
Of course, there’s still a lot of work to be done I’m sure, and while the major hurdle has been leapt, there are still plenty of potential stumbling blocks ahead.
But with the Sarney’s team quoting a ten day period before the firm is reborn, then clearly, and quite understandably, he’s confident that he has the momentum to carry the deal through. And with the backing of a publishing giant as high-profile as Felix Dennis, momentum is something that the team will have in spades.
So from this sceptic (and I’m sure the many others that thought the same), congratulations and the best of luck to Sarney and his team.