Harding: \"confident\" that MAP can survive in one form or another.

At the time of going to press, Mel Harding, chief executive of MAP, one of Manchester’s longest running independent ad agencies, confirmed that the firm has been forced to go into liquidation.
In a candid interview, Harding admitted that difficult market conditions, mounting debts and bad luck had taken their toll on MAP, effectively leaving him with no choice.
He stated, “Yes, it’s true. We tried to do the honourable thing and applied for a CVA but, unfortunately, the court and the government voted against it, despite the fact that the other 95 per cent of the creditors were in favour. Because of that, a liquidator was appointed last Tuesday (17 June).”
At the time of speaking, MAP Plc was still trading and Harding was hoping to sign an agreement that would allow the company to effectively start afresh under the new guise of MAP Advertising Limited.
“We’ve come to an agreement, subject to ratification, that should allow us to buy some of the current fixtures and fittings from the office, as well as the goodwill of the clients.” He explained that he was “confident” that the prospective arrangement would be ratified, but was unable to disclose further details until the deal had been officially signed off.
Harding added, “We’ve had a tough time. We’ve been hit by heavy redundancy payments, we took on a large bad debt and, as everyone knows, the market conditions out there haven’t been too good. Nevertheless, we’re confident that, if the agreement is signed, we can take about 20 members of staff and get on with things.”
MAP will stay in its current Old Trafford premises in the short term, with an eye to a move once the new venture is off the ground.
Harding finished by stating, “I would just like to say that the clients, staff, suppliers and even a lot of our competitors have been hugely supportive, and I’d like to thank everyone officially.” MAP’s clients include Carpet World and MyTravel Lite.