Manchester meetings with Microsystems centres, NCC, the DTI and Byte Shop in critical appraisal of the former and capital approvals and staff recruitment for the latter before home with John Lamb

A reasonable night’s sleep in a strange bed and awake early to get my briefcase and prepare papers for the day. A breakfast of cereal and coffee with the young King family and then in Peter’s car to the office via the Microsystems Centres for a sight of similarity. To the Manchester Byte Shop and there to the people before getting a lift from Hamid Pourmand to the vicinity of the N.C.C. for a meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Federation of Microsystems Centres. I made critical input on the failure to protect their name, on their choice of computer systems for the centres and on the neutral emphasis given to the software directory – originally intended as a British Initiative. I got them to search for another name and at least get the country of origin on the directory which was in itself a battle. I conclude with Tom Fitzpatrick that if this is to be the direction of the Federation we are better off supporting other initiatives. A pleasant buffet lunch as always and courteous conversation with the NCC on DTI officials including Director, David Fairbairn, and Federation Manager  John Turnball.

Late to the Portland Hotel by taxi for a Byte Shop Board Meeting. The sewers are collapsing in central Manchester and works are resulting in confusing traffic diversions. At this meeting, we reviewed sales and finances which are proceeding effectively and decided on how to manage our branch administration for the future – as a two-person function. A time to review personnel plans with some 16 vacancies and then to conclude with a whole host of capital approvals for service and admin use. The Byte Shop has cleared £20K profit for the second month running and as a group profits of £67K for July/August are nearly £10K ahead of plan. A “Spud-U-like” franchised potato with John Lamb and then home at speed and late.

Today Diana called in the Pest Control offices to poison the rats around our shed for the duck food. Strident public words from Margaret Thatcher against the Russian threat fall easily on the right-wing United States ears and the UK unemployed up yet again to 3.17 million. Britain expel another Soviet ‘spy’. Fine but dull weather, a little warm for indoor meetings.