A TRAINING facility opened by the Duke of Westminster three years ago in a blaze of glory is trying to dispel rumours it is under threat.

Norman Richardson House at Middleton in Teesdale has been offering courses in catering, tourism, the leisure industry and IT as part of an outreach centre for Bishop Auckland college.

One of its aims was to attract candidates from across the country to take up residential courses.

But co-ordinator Mrs Anne Beckett-Wise has heard that she is to be made redundant from July 31, and rumours are rife in the village that courses will no longer be available from that date. Another member of staff also feels that she is in danger of losing her job.

Businessman, Mr Hugh Becker of Teesdale Traditional Taverns, which operates Norman Richardson House, told the D&S Times, "I can't say what is going on at the moment because I don't know. I understand the college wishes to re-negotiate its position."

Ms Joanna Tait, principal of Bishop Auckland college, said, "We are in a partnership and hold the lease with Teesdale Traditional Taverns. The lease aspect is reviewing and changing, but it is going to continue as a training centre.

Some earlier market research about potential tourism and leisure has not been as productive as we would have liked, but we are confident there is a level of local demand."

On the non take-up of bedrooms for residential courses, Ms Tait said there had not been as much uptake on that side of things and that had had a major impact on the way the centre was run.

But she was confident the centre would continue to offer the same mix and other adult learning courses. She was unable to confirm or deny whether staff would be made redundant, saying discussions were still ongoing.

Mr Becker concluded by saying, "I am absolutely determined that, whatever happens, Norman Richardson House will prosper."