Sir, – With reference to the article on the closure of Castle Print in last week’s issue (D&S, Feb 4).

May I enquire how Coun Stuart Parsons concludes that clients’ late or nonpayment of bills was the cause of the company’s demise.

In the light of the apparent bewilderment of staff – “we don’t really know the true story” – and the newspaper’s inability to contact the owner, it is more likely that the receivers have not yet had time to evaluate the true failure of the business.

Our company has been a client of Castle Print for approximately ten years. While we cannot speak for other clients, we always paid our bills within the requested 30- day period and gained the impression that a good credit control system was in place.

Service was prompt, professional and helpful until around three months ago when several basic office supplies became unavailable, to the extent that it took two to three weeks to obtain standard A4 copy paper. Perhaps Castle Print was having problems with its suppliers for whatever reason?

We are indeed sorry to see Castle Print staff served so poorly and wish them every success in finding alternative employment.

The fact remains that unless Coun Parsons has hard evidence to confirm that the company “got into financial strife after clients did not pay, or paid late” as mentioned in the article, he might consider withdrawing a comment that implies that clients were solely responsible for the demise of the business.

One final thought. Was Richmondshire District Council by any chance a client of Castle Print and, if so, did it pay its invoices on time?

ROBERT BROWN Managing Director, Machinery Research, Leyburn.

Sir, – I refer to the letter from Mr Brown, of Machinery Research Ltd, which was copied to the D&S Times.

My comments were made in an interview which covered a wide range of possibilities about the demise of Castle Print. Some employees of the company have spoken to me and raised the issue of late payments as one of the reasons which might have contributed to the current situation.

During the interview, I also raised the question of the huge investments which had taken place over the past few years – prior to the onset of the current economic crisis – as a possible reason.

At no point did I suggest that late payments would be the sole reason for the loss of Castle Print.

I, like everyone else, was shocked to hear of the closure of Castle Print. I have friends who worked there and who now have to seek alternative employment.

I did not name any particular customers as not having paid their invoices on time and I am sorry that you have taken the comments as a reflection on your company. I am certain that there are many loyal customers who paid their bills on time. I am also certain that the economic crisis will have caused hardship for other companies which might have resulted in late payments.

I have placed a request with Richmondshire District Council to find out if we did in fact pay our bills on time and will let you know the outcome of that request.

Coun STUART PARSONS Parkinsons Yard, Richmond.