Shugborough Hall and Stafford College change hands in significant move

Shugborough Hall is being taken over by the National Trust, while the cash-strapped college is completing its merger with Newcastle-under-Lyme College.

The handovers will lead to a combined loss of 76 jobs for Stafford.

At Shugborough, just 12 workers out of 73 are to be kept on. The trust has owned the site since 1966 but has leased it to Staffordshire County Council to run.

When redundancies were confirmed workers there said they had 'never seen so many people in tears'.

The National Trust has hailed the handover as 'preserving the jewel in Staffordshire's Crown', with the move set to see the site open for 364 days a year.

Ben Shipston, trust operations director, said: "After agreeing to the transfer in principle back in January, the hard work of everybody involved has now come to fruition.

"The trust and Staffordshire County Council have worked tirelessly to make sure that the transfer is the best outcome for the Shugborough Estate, securing its future and preserving the jewel in Staffordshire's Crown.

"We're now looking forward to an exciting future for Shugborough but it is important that we acknowledge the significant contributions made by Staffordshire County Council in their careful stewardship of the estate over the past 50 years.

"The estate was given to the National Trust in 1966 at a time when we could not afford to take it on.

"If the council hadn't taken the lease on then, the Trust wouldn't be in the position to take over the direct management of the estate today.

"We now want to develop and achieve Shugborough's full potential as a visitor attraction, opening year-round and making sure that the National Trust now as owner-occupier continues to invest in its care and conservation in the future."

The county council had run the 900-acre grade two listed Shugborough Hall since 1966 as part of a 99-year lease but has agreed with the trust to end that lease early.

Mark Winnington, county council's economic boss, said: "After 50 years of investing in and caring for the Shugborough Estate today is a landmark moment.

"The County Council took on the Estate at a time when it was very vulnerable and we have succeeded in maintaining and developing one of the jewels in Staffordshire's crown.

"However we recognise that it is now the right time to return it to its owners, the National Trust, who are the world experts in preserving stately homes. I would thank everyone who has played their part in the Shugborough story for their hard work and I'm delighted at the National Trust's plans – particularly the move to open it 364 days a year, which will keep it at the heart of Staffordshire's lucrative visitor economy."

The historic site is currently undergoing refurbishment during its annual winter closure and will reopen to the public on March 21 next year.

Stafford College has made 16 redundancies as part of its merger with Newcastle-under-Lyme College.

The college was thrown into turmoil last October when previous principal Beverley Smith left. Since then it has been rated inadequate by education watchdog Ofsted and found itself in a financial black hole, needing to make savings of some £750,000. It is hoped the merger will solve the college's financial problems, but it will also come at a price with 16 jobs being axed including the role of interim principal Ian Clinton.

Karen Dobson, principal and chief executive of the newly formed Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG), said: "By bringing the two colleges together, we will be looking to exploit economies of scale, share best practice and build upon our collective strengths to deliver the vision: to be the college of first choice, where staff and students are proud to work and study.

"We will take a moment today to celebrate this significant milestone in the history of both institutions and then it will be back to business as usual – providing outstanding education and training to the communities we serve." George Stonier, chair of governors, added: "The merger follows an intense period of planning, public consultation and legal due diligence, which has culminated in the two institutions coming together with a newly formed corporation, board of governors and a single senior management team which will be under the strong leadership of former NULC Principal, Karen Dobson.

"This is the start of a new era for education in Staffordshire, and an exciting time for us all. Our newly formed, more resilient organisation will bring benefits not only to students, but to local businesses and the economy as a whole."

NSCG will now be supporting more than 9,000 students and will employ more than 1,000 members of staff.

It is expected the group will have a turnover of more than £40 million.