A SAVIOUR could be on the horizon for jobless CragRats employees after a training company revealed its plans to take on the failed company’s staff.

Seventy jobs were lost when CragRats theatre and training company, Holmfirth, went into administration in June because of financial difficulties.

The cafe bar, in the same former mill building on Dunford Road, also closed.

But the prospect of local jobs being reinstated now seems possible after Surrey-based educational training company Speakeasy4schools announced they were on the cusp of taking over CragRats’ portfolio and possibly its name.

The company has already thrown its doors open to ex-CragRats staff and will hold an open day at the Old Bridge Hotel next week.

Managing director, Will Akerman, told the Examiner he was confident the administrators would accept his company’s bid and said he hoped to be up and running as soon as September 1.

Mr Akerman said his company, which employs about 100 staff, had been looking for a north of England office for some time and had initially been looking at Sheffield as a base.

He said: “Clearly the economic climate has led to the sad demise of a superb company.

“CragRats enjoyed an excellent reputation, a reflection of their first-class team.

“Working together we’d like to re-establish the CragRats name with local people who know the business inside out.

“We do a lot of work in Yorkshire already, we’re based in the south but our reach is national.

“For the last six to nine months we’ve been wanting to establish an office (in the north) so it’s a fit from that perspective.

“I’d be interested in talking to everyone (that used to work there).”

The company already employs about 100 staff and has worked with more than 500 schools, colleges and universities.

Julia Bass, Speakeasy4schools’ marketing manager, said they wanted to kick-start CragRats; expanding from a core team and hopefully re-installing it as a major local employer.

She said: “Speakeasy4schools is offering an open invite to all ex-CragRats employees.

“Education, corporate training, CSR, tutors, the admin team and The Riot Act are all extremely welcome to come and chat through plans and opportunities.”

Holme Valley South Tory Clr Ken Sims said: “Obviously anything that can bring back jobs to the valley I’m in full support of.

“I will be assisting (Mr Akerman) in any way I can.

“I think there were major parts of CragRats that were economically viable – they just over stepped their mark a bit.”

CragRats was set up in 1991 to provide learning and training for the public and private sectors across the UK.

As well as its full-time staff, it used hundreds of professional actors on a freelance basis to take part in training sessions on issues like health and safety.

The recruitment event is planned for the August 6 from 2pm to 8.30pm at the Old Bridge Hotel, Holmfirth.

To cater for refreshments and logistics, please email your interest and preferred time of attending to William@speakeasy4schools.com