Update - sigh - a vanity publisher!

I finally heard from the self publishing man - he apologised for the delay in getting back to me but things were busy. He has read parts of my manuscript and liked it and would like to include it in their "titles"!

But I have been reading up on vanity subsidy publishing. The info he sent states:

"The quotation includes the cost of an initial bulk delivery of books to the author. Subsequent deliveries to the author or requests to dispatch books to third parties on behalf of the author will be charged at cost price to the author."

The package includes "Author proofs, ISBN allocation, Registration, Legal Deposit, Bar code,
Inclusion on Amazon.co.uk and WHS Internet Bookshop, etc."

"MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Initial marketing campaign (incl. book data sheet/covers mailing, sending out review copies, arranging media coverage, distribution via agents)"

I have worked out that after editing proof reading etc. the venture - before any input from myself - will cost me about £2000 - including 100 copies of my book £13.00 each!

One of their titles, though has been mentioned favorably in the Guardian; they publish academic books - all above board and not a "Fly by night" company. This, in my opinion is the "hook". They have contacts - a major book distributing company who can get titles into WH Smith...sending out press releases…bla bla bla.

They will not be getting my hard-earned cash.

I didn't mention the company but authors with a few bob in their pockets should be aware that there are “authentic” looking UK publishing companies who are jumping on the self publishing bandwagon

Sounds about right. The advantage of the better Vanity and POD Publishers is access to their 'marketing and distribution services', the disadvantage is an overpriced product.
(AuthorHouse has developed links with Macmillan with the aim to get copies stocked in bookshops).
If you have the computing skills I would advise self-publishers go the DIY route to cuts costs by half - you could probably get 300 paperback copies for £1000 and hope to make a small profit, or, at the very least, recoup your seed money for the next publication.