TALKS to save a college in Malvern could see a breakthrough after the council agreed to try and break the deadlock.

Cllr Sarah Rouse, leader of Malvern Hills District Council, was asked at a meeting on January 25 whether or not the council could step in and try and break the deadlock in talks over the college's future.

When asked by Cllr Beverley Nielsen about this, she said: "The council would be prepared to step in and try to gain some kind of reconciliation.

"I am sure we could make funding available to support a purchaser and I invite the Bransford Trust to discuss it with us."

Cllr Rouse was asked if the council would consider putting up to £200,000 behind the bid to buy the college.

We reported last week how negotiations appeared to be in deadlock between WCG and the Bransford Trust over a possible bid to buy the college.

Having announced its closure in November 2020, WCG said it could not accept the trust's proposal due to a row over a potential future sale clause.

In response, the Trust criticised WCG for its efforts in negotiations, saying there had not been enough contact between the two groups throughout.

Colin Kinnear, from the trust, said there had been repeated stumbling blocks in talks throughout.

He said: "WCG has refused to meet for any face to face negotiations with BT (The Bransford Trust) despite repeated requests to the contrary and have repeatedly refused the offer made by Harriet Baldwin MP for mediation.

"Rather they have continued to present a series of non-negotiable positions on a take it or leave it basis, which hardly qualifies as a negotiation.

"The conditions currently offered by WCG cannot be accepted by the board of trustees of BT."

Before Christmas, hundreds turned out in Malvern's Priory Park for a vigil ahead of a Malvern Hills District Council meeting.

At that meeting, the council agreed to voted to "respect" the covenant put in place over the college.

This guarantees its educational use until such time as no need is identified for it.