The Textile Conservation Centre (TCC) at the University of Southampton closed at the end of October, citing a lack of funds.
A university spokeswoman said: “The university regrets that it has not been possible to arrange a transfer of the Textile Conservation Centre to another institution, and it closed as planned at the end of October. The building will continue to be used for university academic activities.
“The TCC Foundation is still in negotiations with several organisations about the revival of some aspects of the centre’s work at some point in the future.”
The closure of the TCC, which was founded in 1975 and had been at the university since 1998, was greeted with dismay by conservators.
Graham Voce, executive secretary of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, said: “The TCC was very respected internationally, and several of our senior members were disappointed that a local funding decision is having an impact on a worldwide conservation resource.”
Links
www.textileconservationcentre.co.uk
The Heritage Lottery Fund has announced a further £2.85m for its Training Bursary Programme, which will fund seven projects delivering work-based training placements across a range of skills, from blacksmithing to gold leafing.
