Inkberrow Design Centre Under Threat

Karen with Inkberrow Design Centre Director, Brenda Killigrew

Karen Lumley the Tories Parliamentary Spokesman for Redditch County yesterday visited the Inkberrow Design Centre to see for herself the amazing work they are doing there and met staff and students to see the great work they are producing. The centre runs many creative courses including fashion, textiles, pattern cutting and soft furnishings.

The students had just returned from a show at the NEC where they were exhibiting at the weekend.

The centre receives a large proportion of its funding from NEW College and under current proposals to raise fees, as Government cuts adult funding by up to 25%, there is great concern that courses at Inkberrow may have to be cut.

“I met many students and staff who were doing a great job” said Karen and had a very productive meeting with Brenda Killigrew the Design Centre Director to discuss the future.

One of the main concerns raised with me was that once again we in Redditch do not seem to be operating on a level playing field. If students want to do the same course in Warwickshire then they can do for over £100 less than here in Inkberrow which seems to me to be wrong.

This centre is doing a fantastic job and I hope very much that they can find a way to stay open and provide the services they are doing now for the students who really need them.” said Karen