A PHOENIX has risen from the ashes of the company which controlled The National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC) last September – and now employees are running things.

The future of the business was called into question when rumours of administration began to circulate, but these were scotched by general manager Harvey Fremlin.

However, it now transpires NSB&RC, the company which operated the centre, did in fact go into administration last autumn and a new employee-owned business has taken its place.

Home Building Centre, the new company name adopted by Mr Fremlin and his colleagues, has taken over management of the Lydiard Fields centre.

Wrangling with a new landlord over the length of lease NSBRC had at its home was the cause of the rumours, but the signing of a 15-year deal last month secured the future of the new company.

“It did cause a number of months of uncertainty,” said Harvey.

“We have got some exciting long-term plans for the business and we need a long-term lease to do that.

“The issue, at one stage, was the fact the landlord wanted us on a monthly, rolling, short-term lease, a little like the rolling monthly lease for the County Ground.

“We have got three and five-year business plans which are there to help us work towards doing all the things we want to do for visitors and exhibitors in the centre.

“The only reason it went into administration was because of the uncertainty caused on the lease agreements.

“That just had an impact on cash flow. Our customers were uncertain as to how long we were able to operate the centre.

“That was a protracted period and we had to put the previous company into administration.

“This is an opportunity to do things in a different way.”

With the help of Capital for Colleagues, a firm which assists prospective employee-owned businesses, the employees and Mr Fremlin have been able to create a business model in the ilk of John Lewis. With employees in line for financial rewards in the way of dividends as part-owners, Mr Fremlin is confident the future is bright for NSBRC.

“It was a really challenging time and the only reason we got through it was because of the dedication of the team we had,” he said.

“They have been absolutely fantastic. One of the most exciting things to come out of it is this newly-created business.”

The team was streamlined in the transition period and now fewer than 10 members are running things, with plans for additions in the coming weeks.

The attention is not on a high profit in the short-term, but a dedication to ensuring customers and exhibitors are served as well as possible.