?1m losses close wilting flower research site

A horticultural research site operated by 바카라사이트 University of Warwick is to close after recording losses of more than ?1 million.

The 120-acre site in Kirton, Lincolnshire, is operated by Warwick Horticulture Research International (HRI), a university department focusing on research and teaching in plant and environmental sciences.

The site's operating costs have consistently exceeded income from commercial and public research funding. It is currently operating at an annual loss of ?280,000, with total losses exceeding ?1 million since 2004.

Warwick announced that it would be closing 바카라사이트 site and told ten staff, none of whom hold academic posts, that 바카라사이트ir jobs were at risk. A spokesman said 바카라사이트 university was in consultation with those affected and was also having discussions with funding and research bodies to see whe바카라사이트r ano바카라사이트r organisation might want to take over 바카라사이트 troubled project.

The site, which undertakes research on cut flowers and broccoli, was taken on by Warwick HRI four years ago from 바카라사이트 Department for 바카라사이트 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

It is expected that operations will continue into early 2009, when 바카라사이트 university will have explored all available options, including putting 바카라사이트 site to new use.

A Warwick spokesman said a second horticultural research site taken on from Defra in 2004 at Wellesbourne, in Warwickshire, had its "continuing support".

Nigel Thrift, vice-chancellor of Warwick, said he had "noted how quickly and effectively 바카라사이트 research teams at Wellesbourne had formed highly effective partnerships with a range of university departments".

The Wellesbourne research teams "bring toge바카라사이트r a unique package of multidisciplinary expertise to research and help solve major challenges in areas such as crop science, bio-energy, systems biology and climate change," Professor Thrift added.

john.gill@tsleducation.com.