University of Wolverhampton's decision to abandon Telford campus after 30 years 'disappointing'
Politicians and business leaders have expressed disappointment at the decision to close Telford's University of Wolverhampton site.
The shock decision will see the university abandoning its Priorslee campus - including the historic Priorslee Hall, which was previously home to the Telford Development Corporation.
The university set up in the town in 1994 and the closure will see engineering courses at the site moved to Wolverhampton, while nursing will transfer to other areas, including to an extended presence at its Walsall campus.
The move is a significant blow for the area, and comes after Shrewsbury lost its university last year; the University of Chester left the county town after saying its campus was no longer viable.
Local politicians have voiced their disappointment at the move, though they have highlighted the ongoing educational projects in the town - involving Telford College and the successful Harper Adams University.
Shaun Davies, Telford's Labour MP and former leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “While I am disappointed that the University of Wolverhampton will be moving away from Telford, I’d like to thank them for their commitment to Telford in recent years. My priority is to ensure that Telford remains a town with strong access to higher and further education opportunities.
“Exciting educational projects are underway for our town, including The Quad, home to Telford College and Harper Adams University, and we also have a number of other first-class educational facilities throughout our town.
“Furthermore, I will work with local leaders to ensure that Telford remains a place where people can thrive academically and professionally.
"I remain committed to securing government investment in education and skills training to strengthen our community’s future.
"There will be questions about what happens to the Telford campus into the future. I am seeking answers on this and will keep our community updated.”
Conservative MP for the Wrekin Mark Pritchard said he was greatly saddened by the developments.
He said: "This is a huge blow to all the dedicated students and staff who have benefited from the Priorslee campus over many years.
"Yet again, local education is under assault from Keir Starmer's Government."
Meanwhile, Ruth Ross, chief executive of the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, said that there now has to be a focus on the education services which are growing in the town.
She said: “Clearly we don’t want to be seeing any education centres leaving Shropshire, so this is disappointing news – particularly on the back of the University of Chester’s withdrawal from Shrewsbury last year.
“We were aware that the university had been facing financial pressures, which included the scrapping of its bus service linking the Telford campus to its main base in Wolverhampton last summer.
“But we are fortunate to still be blessed with many award-winning educational facilities in Telford and Wrekin, which are thriving and growing.
“Harper Adams University and Telford College have both recently expanded to open new campuses in a growing academic quarter in the town centre’s Station Quarter, and Keele University has also set out plans to deliver some courses at the college’s campus in Wellington.
“It means we can continue to work closely with employers, supporting them to access good apprenticeship provision and funding. T-Levels, Higher Technical Qualifications and other vocational qualifications.
“They play a vital role in preparing young people for the workplace and providing employers with the skills they need.”
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