After months of uncertainty, it now appears that Evesham Technology is to be no more in the form we all grew to love. At 4.45pm Friday, the loyal staff were shafted as many were told they were now unemployed with no notice period. It also transpires that they were also escorted immediately from the premises.

The rumours first started in June when 4 of the 5 directors quit the firm leaving only co-founder Richard Austin at the helm. He then put the for sale sign up on the business, confirming that he was in talks with 3 parties. Unfortunately for Evesham staff and customers he appears to have chosen the TimeUK founder Tahir Mohsan. Many will know how Time operated and how they shafted there own staff when they went bust, only to resurect as TimeUK shortly after. Rumour also has it that Evesham had been transfering assets to a new company - Geemore Technologies - which will take over from Evesham.

As a former employee of Evesham, everything started to go wrong when the company took on a new MD to replace Richard (who bacame chairman). This changed the ethos of the company, introducing redundancies which occured at least once a year and removing the companies focus on customer service. This same customer service focus was the one that kept Evesham as a leading provider with loyal customers. At one time the company had high 7 day DOA rates on new PC’s but the support of telephone and on-site technical support still pushed the company high up the ratings. It also earned the company high repeat business rates. By the time I left the company in 2003, customers support roles were seen (to me at least) as drains on the company finances and something the comapny had to have but wished they could get rid of. At this time the company also became more corporate and less friendly. Working there had always been like working at a family firm. The company relied on staff goodwill and turning it corporate led to this gradually evaporating for many.

I feel very sad for former colleagues who now face a very uncertain future at the hands of either the administrators and government (for those made redundant on Friday) or RA and TH (for those who have kept their jobs for the moment at least). I will, as always, keep an eye out for jobs that they may be able to do, and will always recommend them to my current employers if suitable jobs come up.

R.I.P. Evesham Technology (aka Evesham Micros, Evesham.com & LowestOnWeb)