“It was a close run thing” - Brighouse training centre will re-open after last-minute rescue

Andrew Denford is leading a group of local business owners who are reopening the centre after successfully preventing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of manufacturing equipment and tools belonging to the centre being sold off at auction.

Bids were already being taken on the items when the group stepped in and threatened legal action against KITS’ directors.

Mr Denford, who is caretaker chairman of the centre, only realised it was being cleared of equipment to be auctioned off when he noticed activity at its Armytage Road premises.

“I was suspicious when I saw four of five cars parked there,” he said.

“Thankfully we managed to stop the auction because it would have been carnage if that had gone ahead.

“They would have sold all the machinery at a tenth of its value.

“The trustees all thought KITS was dead in the water and it would have been if we hadn’t stopped the auction.

“The majority of people I spoke to were distraught that there would be no apprenticeship provision in this area.

“It’s vital to the Engineering and Manufacturing sector of Calderdale and Kirklees that there continues to be a first class Engineering Apprentice training centre – KITS has delivered skilled Apprentices Since 1991 and we need to continue to do so.

“KITS also has excellent Motor Vehicle training Centre and Conference facilities available to all companies in the area.

“Calderdale and Kirklees member companies are the owners of KITS as it’s a community owned charity.

“Our member companies rely on our provision of health and safety at work training, first aid and many other services supporting the manufacturing and business community at large.”

Mr Denford, chief executive of nearby machine making firm Denford Ltd, said the centre’s previous board of directors all resigned after his bid to save KITS succeeded at the “eleventh hour and 59th minute” and said the contract of former chief executive David Todhunter had been terminated.

“It was a close run thing in getting the auction cancelled – it would have been a disaster to see all the assets given away at a time when very few companies are investing,” he said.

“Not having trading companies represented on the board meant that members were kept in the dark about the closure plans until the very last minute.

“Fortunately were able to call on Steven Bonfield of Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors for assistance.

“Steven is a former President of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and has been a passionate supporter of local business throughout his professional career.

“He devoted a huge amount of time on a purely voluntary basis to researching the background, deciding what we could and could not do, legally and explaining to us how to do it.

“Had it not been for his expertise and assistance I think we would have lost KITS altogether.

“Ultimately, three days before the auction, the directors in situ accepted that their actions were at odds with the wishes of the members, cancelled the auction and resigned en bloc to allow a new board to be created.

“The new board has four member companies represented and we plan to engage on a regular basis with all members and grow the membership too.

“We plan to try to reopen as soon as possible and to not only engage with business and industry but with all the primary and secondary schools, colleges and other training providers in the area.

“KITS needs to be part of the wider community and parents need to be aware of what they have on their doorstep.”