Time closes stores but keeps running
Summary: Time Computers closes 78 retail outlets 'for now' because of issues with its bankers, but its mail order business continues
Amid fierce speculation about the future of the company, Time Computers closed all of its 78 Computer Shop stores on Monday.
As staff talked of closed production lines and unfilled orders, and complained of being kept in the dark over company plans, managers tried to put a brave face on the situation, insisting that the store closures were only a temporary measure.
"We intend to carry on in business," said Richard Harris, the head of human resources of Time Computers' parent company company, Granville Technology Group. "We have had to close the stores because of issues with the bank".
Last Friday the company confirmed that HSBC has withdrawn credit handling facilities after the company defaulted on a loan. This has forced the closure of the stores, as they can't process credit card payments.
Harris maintained that Granville was working with the bank to sort out the problem. These issues have meant that staff have been paid late two months running.
Harris said that the main parts of mail-order business were "operating normally" but that some production lines had been closed down on a temporary basis. He insisted that there had been no mass layoffs and that during this period staff were being asked to take paid holiday.
"The business is going to carry on, the business has a future," vowed Harris. "I am trying to be as upbeat as possible."
But yesterday’s ZDNet UK story about problems at Time prompted staff to take issue with Harris and the company. Many complained about not being informed of events but Harris said that all staff were being informed of the situation.
Part of the problem, according to staff, is a shortage of components as suppliers have become reluctant to supply the company. However, manufacturing is carried out for Granville Technology by VMT which, according to Harris, is "a completely separate company".
A union source said that he has been "concerned" about the complex network of companies and brands that compose Granville, VMT, Time, Tiny and The Computer Store.
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Talkback
Just to really vent my own opinions on this - Why, as an employee of Granville Technology, am I finding out more information through a website, before I am from the company?. Why are the company apparently talking to news sources first, rather than biting the bullet and talking to it's employees first?. That makes it harder and harder for me to believe the text posted on these pages.
I guess I, like everyone else, will just have to wait for the real truth to be out.
rats running from a sinking ship perhaps?
I have been forced to goto the press for answers.
Could be a good place to keep in touch when the plug finally is pulled - which cant be far away
I also hope that some staff never work again. Customer Services and Sales staff shouldn't ever be allowed to work in retail ever again. By staying in their job with the full knowledge that they are trying to con people into buying shoddy goods and / or changing the order and sending a different system out, they have a responsibility to those customers. They could have left the job at any time. However, they continued to work for that company, out of choice. I hope the sales staff don't get paid. Customer services are worse, they know a customer's problems and promise to deal with them, with no intent to do so. A fob off is a fob off! Therefore, I also hope that customer Service staff don't receive a penny. I just hope that the next company that I deal with, is better and that I don't have to spend hours uninstalling a 56Kb modem that I did not want and made this clear at the point of sale, reconfiguring the PC and cleaning up the 131 virus', trojans, Adware etc. from my heavily infected new PC. I hope nobody at Granville gets paid, never works again and that the Directors go bankrupt, with the loss of their homes , cars etc.
Should any TIME pc customers require any support or advise, please drop a email and I will endevour to assist where possible.
My company Compu Friend LTD covers the following areas: Leeds,York,Selby.