Penrith and the Border MP Neil Hudson has released a statement today to say the Government has not approved any of the bids which came forward to take over Newton Rigg.
He said: “I am deeply saddened that the Strategic Review of Newton Rigg College has not been able to approve any of the bids that came forward.
“I have met with the Education Secretary this week to discuss the college and last night met with the Further Education Commissioner’s Office about the review outcome.
“I will be meeting with the Further Education Minister later today and will be working tirelessly with Government and stakeholders to try to secure a viable future for the delivery of Land-based Education from the Newton Rigg campus.
“I will not give up on trying to find an alternative solution for this campus. And I will keep making sure that Government hears loud and clear how important Newton Rigg is to our community, the rural economy, and the wider UK.
“I will not give up. We will not give up. Penrith needs Newton Rigg. Cumbria needs Newton Rigg. The UK needs Newton Rigg.”
Current operator, York-based Askham Bryan College, announced that it would be pulling out of Newton Rigg earlier this year.
News of the possible closure of the college was greeted with dismay by the land-based community and Newton Rigg students past and present.
One of the bidders has not been identified but the other is Newton Rigg Ltd, based near Kendal.
It is made up of a number of prominent figures from the worlds of farming, education and business.
