Union condemns Myerscough College decision to close Witton Park campus

UCU members working at the Witton Park campus of Myerscough College in Blackburn were shocked when management announced proposals in May to close the centre, giving them less than three months' notice.  

Confirmation the campus, which has for years offered unique education opportunities in animal care subjects, will be closed at the end of the month has been met with anger from staff. 

Twelve permanent staff, and several more on temporary contracts, are now at risk of redundancy unless they accept alternative jobs at the college's main campus near Preston, 16 miles away from Witton Park. 

Ove the past few weeks UCU has presented a range of options to college management that could have seen the centre remain open, but all suggestions have been rejected by management and will now close on Thursday 31 July. 

The college has cited problems with an energy performance rating, but the local council, who own the buildings, had confirmed to UCU that it would explore all options to offer the college a new lease. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Staff are rightly both angry and devastated that the college has decided to close Witton Park having rejected all the suggestions UCU made that would have enabled this much-loved centre to remain open. Whilst it is not too late for management to think again, we will be supporting our members who now face the uncertainty of not knowing if they will have a job to come back to in September'. 

A college worker said: 'We provide excellent hands-on, life-changing experiences combining education with pastoral support to Foundation learners and students with Education, Health and Care Plans, some of whom are amongst the most vulnerable and diverse learners in the area.  

Witton Park gives learners a sense of identity, opportunity for progression and hope for the future, and for many this isn't just a college, it is a place where they have only ever felt understood, valued and capable. 

Closing this campus risks abandoning students who depend upon the structure, core and tailored learning opportunities otherwise not available or accessible to them.'