Council targets new markets for outdoors centre

The closure of a council outdoor education centre has led to just half of bookings being transferred to the authority's single remaining site.

Bradford Council's outdoor education service operated school trips from two sites; Ingleborough Hall and Buckden House.

Almost £3m was needed to bring the Ingleborough building up to a good standard and the decision was made by the council to close the facility on 31 August.

As a result, the business was transferred to Buckden House, but a report has revealed just 50% of bookings have transferred from across.

Julia Britton, who was headteacher at a local primary school for four years, campaigned to save Ingleborough Hall before its closure.

"Schools are still looking for outdoor education opportunities and to take their children out on residentials is absolutely priceless," she said.

"I can't help but think that Bradford Council has missed a trick on that one really.

"Investing in the children of Bradford would have made a difference to their future."

Ms Britton, who has been visiting Ingleborough Hall on school trips for more than 20 years, added: "I don't want to speak negatively about Buckden House, it's just the fact that the building is too small to house all the children and adults that our school would have liked to have taken."

Before the closure, neither service was covering their costs, with an operating loss of £176,000.

In order to create more revenue, the Buckden centre will try to crack new markets - according to a report set to be put before the council on Wednesday.

New target include ramblers and cyclists by hosting adventure events.

Councillors will oversee the plan to create more cash at the Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 15 January.

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