Workers at a local publishing company have followed in the footsteps of the likes of John Lewis by becoming the owners of the firm that employs them.

The 11 staff at the Helpful Book Company, on Millom’s Devonshire Road Industrial Estate, have taken over ownership of the company via a trust.

The business – which was founded by outgoing managing director Tim Wakeling in 2005 – sells books and online resources to help mainly older people get to grips with technology like tablets, smartphones and social media.

Tim had the idea for the company after moving to Broughton from Plymouth to work for CGP Books.

He had always helped his parents with their technological queries and continued to send them helpful IT hints and tips from Cumbria.

“My mum and dad are not very technological so I had always been used to helping them,” he said.

“I used to send them information and help, complete with pictures, and I thought it was something that other people could find useful.”

Tim began the business alone in his spare room, before the company moved to its home on Devonshire Road in 2006.

“A lot of devices will come with an e-book which describe how to use it,” said Tim.

“But if you don’t know how to use it you don’t know how to get at the e-book.”

Tim is leaving the company to study and pursue his interest in entrepreneurship and employee-owned businesses.

“It’s very similar to the way John Lewis works,” he said.

“The business will be owned by a trust we set up and that will be owned by whoever is currently working at the business.

“They will effectively be in control and benefit from the company being successful.”

He said if the business had been sold, it was likely the buyer would want to relocate, making it difficult for staff to keep their jobs.

“I am very interested in the whole area of employee owned businesses and studying how that works, with a view to doing some research at university,” he said.

Other well-known employee-owned companies include consultancy Mott MacDonald and hi-fi retailer Richer Sounds.

Laura Pattinson, who has been at the company 13 years and was its operations manager, will take over as managing director.

“Nothing is really changing,” she said.

“We are still the same people and the same editors and customer service staff.

“Everybody who is employed at the time will reap the rewards as we all work for ourselves now.

“It’s very positive for the area.

“We have got so many customers who are so loyal to us and we are like a little family.”