City facing campus closure considers new university

City councillors have agreed to work with MPs to look into setting up a new university campus to replace one due to close this summer.

The University of Essex has announced its Southend-on-Sea site will shut in August.

The city council said the closure "represents a significant threat to Southend's economic growth, skills pipeline, cultural life, and long-term ambition to be a thriving coastal city of learning and innovation".

At an extraordinary meeting on Monday, councillors backed working with the city's two MPs to explore various options, including creating a Southend University.

Other possibilities a new working group will explore for the site in Elmer Approach, in the city centre, could include a partnership or merger with an existing university.

It may also look to expand university-level provision through South Essex College or University Centre South Essex.

Another option is securing alternative higher-education providers for the soon-to-be vacated campus.

Monday's meeting was called by Reform UK councillor Dan Nelson, deputy leader of the party's group on the authority.

Labour amended Nelson's motion, which was backed unanimously.

Southend-on-Sea City Council only found out the University of Essex was going to close its campus there 24 hours before the announcement was made.

It said all the courses, which have 800 students, will move to the main Colchester campus.

The university is looking to cut 200 full-time roles over the next two years.

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