Thursday 19th April 1984

Finalising the Comart Business plan and organising the disposal of the business before a struggle to get the board papers ready for circulation as a rather low key funeral of Tommy Cooper takes place.

I linger in bed with Diana sleeping in the newly delivered single bed in the spare bedroom, and eventually rise to breakfast a bit late. To the office just on time and straight down to the day’s work. Final preparations of the Comart Business Plan and several phone calls with parties about the disposal of the business. Tony Diment of 3i has been asked by his chief executive to prepare a report on The Comart Group by Brammer and I explained my situation and feelings towards Brammer’s suitability. I call Robert Ffoulkes-Jones who understands my position and seems to express the view that he would not want to hold up or frustrate the sale of the concern and I leave him to consider what offer they would be prepared to accept for the disposal of The Byte Shop option. Then Peter Smith of Kode phones with queries on the UEA option agreement which he is obviously regarding in some detail.

A quick lunchtime sandwich and then the afternoon struggling to get in the managers board reports and package the results, with agenda, for circulation to the Board. Then an even greater exercise to get updates back from Sales, Marketing and Finance for the three year Comart Plan and a marathon copying and binding exercise finishes a little late at 5.30pm. Somewhat vexed that Ian Nickson does not wait for the result and goes home on time. News today of the miners executive delegate conference and their decision against a national ballot whilst reducing the need at any subsequent ballot to that of a simple majority. News also of the funeral of Tommy Cooper which I think could have been a bit more of a commemoration and formal.