A council run training centre axed as part of tough money saving measures may be given a new lease of life.

Brentwood Borough Council chiefs are holding talks with the Mid Essex Adult Community College which believes the defunct Brentwood Training Centre in Eagle Way, Warley, is the perfect location for its own expansion plans.

Negotiations are still ongoing but the mood of both parties is optimistic.

Irene Tracey, principal of the Bishops Hill college, said they had been negotiating with the council to take over the lease of Brentwood Training Centre since first hearing the centre was under review.

She said: "The college's main centre at Bishops Hill, Hutton, is at capacity in the evening and we were looking for a second permanent centre to expand our operation - especially at the Warley side of the town to support the needs of the residents of the new housing development there.

"For the current academic year we have been hiring the entire Brentwood Training Services premises for one evening a week and the centre has proved very popular with our students, especially language students who are studying for a level 1 qualification."

Mrs Tracey said the college planned to develop the training available to local businesses and residents.

The college hopes to take over the lease of the training centre from the beginning of June and launch a new programme at the location in September.

Funding will come from the Learning and Skills Council via Essex County Council.

Brentwood Council closed the training centre earlier this month to help them meet budget targets. The centre was costing £130,000 a year to run and six staff were made redundant.

Former training centre manager Julie Ruzbridge has set up her own business and taken over the name of Brentwood Training Services and its 01277 214068 telephone number. She plans to offer courses in business and management skills.

Published Wednesday, May 21, 2003

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