The whole sorry saga of the decline and collapse of Norprint has emerged at last after its assets were sold under what is casually known in the business as a "pre-pack" agreement.

It began three months before the company crashed, when costs were cut in April and May, and an attempt to borrow more money to bolster the business up in June ended in failure –  all this against the background of the loss of two contracts worth around £2 million at the start of the year.

There followed a spiralling descent into decline, with a lack of money to buy the stock needed to meet orders driving customers elsewhere – accompanied by a ban by the suppliers that remained.

To  make matters worse –  if that were possible –  the company was significantly behind with the rent and also owed HM Revenue and Customs, which collects the likes of income tax and VAT.

Paragon – which took over the Magnadata arm of the company – had shown interest in Norprint as well but this was overtaken by events, and the administrators were called in on 30^th July

In terms of equipment, the plant and machinery was valued at £580,000 in situ and £300,000 after any auction and removal costs were taken into account.

But a large amount the equipment was in hock, and eventually a company called Paragon Transaction (UK) – part of the Paragon Group, offered £170,000 including some of the assets against which borrowings had been made.

The company also offered to help recover Norprint's book debts – with both offers  condition on BemroseBooth –  another part of the Paragon Group –   acquiring certain Magnadata assets.

Magnadata also had money problems by this time and could no longer afford the stock to produce tickets for the Association of Train Operator Companies.

If nothing was done, “the potential implications could be catastrophic through serious disruption to national rail travel”   says Robert Adamson, one of the administrators at the accountancy firm Mazars.

So – although the offer for plant and machinery was very low –  it was accepted because of the threat to the UK rail system if Magnadata had gone bust.

The sale went ahead on 3rd August with a down payment of £75,000 to be followed by five monthly instalments of £19,000.

Transaction UK was given permission to occupy the Horncastle Road factory until December – which seems to be the date when the lease on the premises expires.

***

It seems ironic that Magnadata –  one of a handful of companies worldwide that make train tickets –  and whose demise would apparently bring the UK rail system to its knees –  could have found itself  with money problems alongside its sister company.

It’s also ironic that Norprint played a pivotal role in the famous 1968 “I’m backing Britain campaign” which took the nation by storm and provided 100,000 free badges featuring the slogan.

It’s to be hoped that Paragon – which the dictionary defines as “a model of excellence” lives up to its name.

***

But what does the future have in store?

Around 100 jobs were “saved” by the takeover of Paragon.

Paragon Group UK is based at Sunderland, Wakefield Europort, Rotherham and Accrington.

It bought Hull-based BemroseBooth out of administration five years ago.

When the lease on the old Magnadata/Norprint site expires at the end of the year, where will the workforce go?

It’s the nature of the “rescue” that concerns us.

At the sharp end of the business, things could not have worked out more serendipitously, with the expiry of the lease almost coinciding with the collapse of Norprint as Paragon lurked in the wings with an interest in Magnadata.

If the remnants of the company have to leave the site at the end of December – and no-one has said that they haven’t – where does the workforce go?

Without alternative premises being found in Boston and equipped in double quick time they presumably go to Hull ... in a handcart, perhaps.

What happens to the plant and machinery?

It probably follows them.

***

Sadly these days, it seems that there is an inevitability which says that when comparisons between best and worst are being made, Boston always appears low down on the list – if not at the bottom.

Such was the case on Monday, when a map, devised by Hampton International and the Daily Telegraph, guided us to the areas with the cheapest homes and the happiest residents, based on house price-to-income ratios and the Life Satisfaction Index from the Office of National Statistics.

We were not surprised to see that whilst East Lindsey was fair to middling in its evaluation, and South Holland had a top rating, poor old Boston was exactly that – rated in the low satisfaction category.

Boston Borough Council is forever telling us how hard it is working to improve our image and make the place better to live.

But when you ask the people who matter – those who live there –  they invariably give Boston nul points.

Why?

That’s a question that requires an urgent answer ... and some urgent action as well.

***

Worst Street is never slow to boast if it thinks it's got something to preen about. At the moment, the munchkins are basking in the reflected glory of last week’s beach party in Central Park – even though it was a co-promotion with Mayflower Housing, Family Action, Boston Children’s Centre and Boston United in the Community and funded by Boston Big Local.

In local coverage, the event went from merely using a quote about it by an officer, to being “managed” by Boston Borough Council to being “organised” by it.

And – as seems de rigueur these days – Councillor Claire Rylott, the council’s portfolio holder for leisure services, parks and open spaces had something to say about it as well.

For the first time –  and we are sure not for the last –  we note the involvement of Boston Big Local with the organisations led by the great and the good ... notably the Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service alongside the council.

And just recently, Boston Big Local announced that is has commissioned LCVS to administer a new £18,000 grants scheme to encourage “events which bring people together and build community spirit in Boston.”

The fund will support six small events and at least one larger scale event between now and end of March, 2017, with the projects being chosen by an “independent” panel.

When Boston Big Local was created five years ago, Mandy Exley, the community development officer for LCVS went to great lengths to stress the independence of the group.

Asked what she would like to see the money spent on, her response was unambiguous.

“It’s not up to me. I wouldn’t dream of saying because it’s not about what I think what any of the other partners think – it’s about what the community want and we are just the facilitators. We’re the tools to galvanise these people into action to want to make a difference to their neighbourhood, and it will be down to them.

“It’s not down to me, it really isn’t. It’s down to the residents and I can’t stress that enough. It is totally resident led and that’s the uniqueness of it.”

Later she added: “This money will not be dictated by Boston Borough Council it will not be dictated by our organisation, the LCVS.  It will be totally dictated by the local community ... it is their say where this money is spent.”

By the way, if you’d like to apply for a share of the latest grants scheme, you need to ring LCVS – and ask for ... Mandy Exley.

Do we detect the dead hand of the likes of Worst Street and the Volunteer Brigade hammering the thin end of a wedge into a million pound treasure chest?

We believe we do.

***

More back-slapping at Munchkin HQ with the report in the borough’s Goody Two Shoes News (circulation 784) that Boston’s street drinking controls have been declared a success.

Both the council and the cops say that far fewer people are now consuming alcohol in the town centre since the new rules came in at the beginning of the year.

Inspector Jim Manning told Boston GTSN (circulation 784): “There has been a noticeable reduction in street drinking in the town centre itself, which is welcome. The purpose of this order was to remove street drinkers from the town centre and it looks like it is working.”

Fortunately for those tasked with policing the Public Spaces Protection Order (pronounced Spo) the main area involved is a gentle, none too tiring stroll away from the police station and municipal buildings.

Whilst the PSPO might well have been a success, the inevitable follow on has taken place – with more people being seen drinking outside of the designated area.

The evidence of our own eyes tells us this – and other people have reported seeing drunkenness in streets where it has previously been absent.

Of course, the impact of widespread drinking in the town centre is concerning, and it is quite right to do something about it.

But we wonder if the powers that be have a cunning plan to solve the problem that has been created by their concerns for the town centre – which always takes precedence over the places where ordinary folk try to live a peaceful life.

***

Sad news for lovers of the wit and wisdom of our so-called council leader.

“Peter’s Notes” are missing from the August issue of the local free magazine Simply Boston.

As regular readers will know, this is not something that we regard as a great loss –  as the page allegedly written by blue leader Bedford has for as long as we can remember been a repeat of some earlier piece published in the Boston sub-Standard.

It would be interesting to know whether his absence from Simply Boston is a) because he has nothing to say; b) he’s at last developed a conscience about serving up reheated leftovers in a manner that borders on contempt for the readers; or c) that Simply Boston has at last decided that a) he has nothing to say; b) they are fed up with him serving reheated leftovers in a manner that borders on contempt for their readers.

***

Mention of treating readers with contempt reminds us of another guilty party –  this time the Boston off-Target and its handful of followers on Twitter.

Once, the Target could be relied on (sort of) to tell us what was going on in Boston.

But now, its Twitter feed is peppered with stories with headlines such as: “the most middle class graffiti yet? Broadchurch actor spots ‘quinoa’ sprayed on wall  ... Moving tributes pour in for Plymouth's 'Bucket Man' who has sadly died  ...  Another superhero joins The Bromley Batman in the quest for justice” ... and  Hairdresser (from Stoke-on-Trent) fears for her life after parking row video goes viral on Facebook.”

You don’t need us to point out that none of the above stories have anything to do with Boston.

Following the link on the Target’s Twitter page takes you to a website called Quirker which is run by a company called Local World, whose shareholders include the Target’s parent company.

The site exists to promote “the funniest and weirdest stories found in its local newspapers,” and “celebrate “the best of real life eccentric content”.

Local World’s digital content director, says: “is a terrific home for the most eccentric, funny, man-bites-dog, weird and real life Quirker stories we produce as a group every day. “This platform gives us an opportunity to really capitalise on the vitality of this content ..." whilst another executive says: “There is no more enticing, or commercially exciting, opportunity in digital today than re imagining the power of local content.”

The keywords here are capitalise and commercial.

They’re another version of the links that are increasingly found on internet newspaper websites which sneer at people they deem to be ugly, or list film stars who’ve aged badly – and make money for the sites that carry them if people are stupid enough to visit.

Our local newspapers in Boston are bad enough as it is – witness the recent coverage of the Norprint closure –  but to stoop to treating us like idiots  and dis-serve us with irrelevant stories designed simply to make them more money is dumbing down even further.

***

The apparently endless trawl for our memories of Boston goes on.

A plug for “Boston Memories Drop-in event” in Tuesday's GTSN (circulation 784) appealed for any old photos and stories about Boston’s past.

It published a photo as an example and asked:  “Who remembers Boston’s “H-House”? It stood on Wainfleet Road, near the Ball House, until its demolition in 1959.”

We were told that the photograph of the house “will help spark memories of the property – a local landmark” and that memories like this are just what a new Boston project wants because they will help “inform” plans for “new and improved heritage signage in the town centre.”

So if we read this aright, we might soon see a sign in the town centre directing us to an out of town site where a house stood until it was knocked down 56 years ago.

It might be an idea to go back to the drawing board for this project before it goes any further.

***

Almost as if it is such a shock to succeed at something, Worst Street seems to lose confidence on the rare occasions that it actually comes up with a good idea.

This time last year the first official Boston Borough Council calendar was in an advanced stage of preparation.

It was sponsored by 12 local businesses and supporters, put on a good display of photos of the town, and eventually turned in a profit which went to good causes.

It was a good start – one well worth building on.

But is that happening?

We don't think so!

***

We offer the following statements about the amalgamation of all Lincolnshire district councils into a single unitary authority for your consideration without further comment.

Council “leader” Pete Bedford speaking in May after Lincolnshire County Council leader Martin Hill spoke of the devolution of powers from the government to local authorities and their possible future merger: "There are no plans to abolish district councils. We continue to focus on making a difference for our residents and communities.

“We have a strong track record of delivery and clear plans for the future, with robust financial strategies and a great team. We can be proud of what we have achieved, and we can move forward with confidence."
Council “leader” Pete Bedford speaking in August: “Phil (chief executive Phil Drury) and myself have been to London and Nottingham to hear about the government's plans to hand down power to councils under the Devolved Powers Act. This will be a very hard process to achieve but with all districts, county and City of Lincoln working together we are convinced that it is the only way forward for local district councils like ours to compete.

“This has to be Number One priority.”

Trust him – he’s a councillor!

***

What we are told is the “next stage” in the development  of Boston  Market Place starts on Monday with the installation of metal bollards cunningly disguised to look as if they are made from cast iron.

The words “next stage” in this context really means “papering over the cracks.”

Since the Market Place was “refurbished” three years ago at a cost of £2 million, there have been repeated attempts to make a halfway decent job of it – all of which have failed to far.

As far as we are aware this is the first time that a “next stage” of work has been mentioned – and wonder whether this means that more changes are on the way.

The hitherto silent cabinet portfolio holder for the town centre, Councillor Paul Skinner is quoted as saying: "The trial planters have been a success in providing separation to an area of the Market Place, as well as colour.

"I look forward to the installation of a more permanent and manageable solution for the Market Place, along with the area building upon its successes."

Again, as far as we are aware, the planters were not a “trial” –  they were simply an even earlier desperate attempt to paper over the cracks to stop the chaos and potential danger in an area where neither vehicles or pedestrians could be certain who took precedence.

A council spokesman is quoted as saying that there will be no chains linking the bollards, but they will be close enough that vehicles won't be able to get through – which, to take into account smaller vehicles, will mean every 4-5 feet.

And what about motorcycles? They’ll still be able to get through the gaps.

And what about pedal cycles? – plenty of bollards mean plenty of places to chain up your bike, which will play merry hell with the ambience and visual perspective of the area.

The hope, apparently is that the new bollards will “help maintain the open aspect of the historic town centre area” whilst the wooden planters will be re-used to “provide a lift to other areas of the town where they can add attractive amounts of colour” –   and where, doubtless, they will stand forgotten until they wither and die (see Boston Eye Friday 14^th August.) 

This would seem to put the kibosh on future plans for Boston in Bloom, which has relied on the Market Place as a showpiece.

Soon, we will have bollards bristling everywhere – and only the absence of machine-gun nests at regular intervals will help us differentiate between Boston Market Place and the parade ground in Colditz Castle.

***

Hard on the heels of last week’s mention of the Quadrant development at Wyberton comes a report that the start of work on Boston United's new stadium is now likely to slip into next season because efforts are still being made to find the money needed to fund the 5,000-capacity stadium after the project missed out on £2m worth of funding from Sport England.

Times really seem to have changed in the world of developers making huge profits.

Not so long ago, a speculator acquired land, and planned developments that would cover the cost of whatever was built on it plus a generous profit.

In July last year, the Quadrant scheme was given a £4.75 million grant under the Government’s Single Local Growth Fund, which David Newton – the chairman of Boston United and boss of  developers Chestnut homes – apparently felt was not enough, saying that “other funding streams” would also need to be secured.

But he added that “this is a huge step forward for the Quadrant development, and will enable work to start in 2015 subject to planning permission being granted, giving a great boost to the local economy.”

We are now beginning to wonder when ... and possibly even if ... the stadium will ever take shape.

Time is getting short – the lease on Boston United’s York Street stadium runs out in January 2018 ... when we are sure that the vacant site will see whoever buys it drawing up huge and profitable plans to shove up even more houses on that site.

***

Last week’s clip of a young cyclist carving across the path of a moving car highlighted the risks that motorists face.

As we said then, whenever a car and a cycle collide, the motorist is usually the one who gets the blame.

But to show that it’s not just youngsters who take their lives into their hand, take a look at this clip...

A close inspection will show that the kamikaze granny in the picture just stuck her arm out and swerved across the road – without once looking back.

Had the car been a few yards further on she might have ridden into the side of it – or beneath the wheels.

Just more evidence that two wheeled riders also need to be aware of their responsibilities on Boston’s roads.
Note: The above video will not be visible if you are trying to view it on an Apple iPad. It's a compatibility thing!

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