MORE facts have emerged about the crash of Scenic Route, the world-renowned creative company, which left more than £550,000 worth of debt and the loss of 41 jobs in its wake.

The firm, based at Elvington Airfield, came to an end after 21 years in which it undertook 400 projects for museums, theme parks and shopping centres all over the world.

Colin Pyrah, its founder and former managing director, blamed two particularly bad debts totalling £400,000.

The firm's goodwill was bought from the administrators by Paragon Creative, a neighbour on the Elvington Airfield business park, which itself was one of more than 150 creditors, being owed nearly £66,000. Paragon has now taken on 11 of the Scenic Route staff.

Other facts are unveiled in a report by joint administrator Charles Brook, of Tenon Recovery, Huddersfield which will be presented to a creditors meeting at the Holiday Inn in Tadcaster Road, York, on Wednesday.

These include:-

In spite of the two setbacks in 2003 and 2004 resulting in layoffs, there were enough new orders for the company to trade out of trouble to the point where last year it peaked at 45 full-time staff, but slow payment of a Middle East contract put further financial strain on the company and pressures on cash flow were not helped by late payments from a French contractual customer

Paragon Creative's purchase of fixtures, fittings, stock, some contracts, name and goodwill, realised £72,500

Mr Pyrah himself is listed as one of the creditors, being owed £35,000.

The firm owed the Inland Revenue more than £78,000.

It is unlikely that most creditors will get their money back, but whatever the size of debts, some will be hit harder than others.

Stephen Harris, of Anytime Travel in Dringhouses, York, is listed as being owed £560 for his services ferrying Scenic Route employees between Elvington and Liverpool Airport in his 16-seater minibus.

"But actually I am £980 out of pocket, because I subcontracted three of the four journeys and I paid them," he said.

"That may not seem very much money, but as a sole trader trying to keep my five kids, it has knocked me back. It has taught me a severe lesson. Always ask for money upfront."

Updated: 09:45 Thursday, March 16, 2006