Off the pitch transfer for Boro as council business could transfer

Middlesbrough Council to consider proposals to transfer training and conference business to club.

A council-run conference and training business could transfer into the hands of Middlesbrough Football Club if proposals are agreed.

A report recommending the transfer of Middlesbrough Teaching and Learning Centre (MTLC) business to MFC will be considered by Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for regeneration and economic development on Thursday.

The change comes after the centre, on Cargo Fleet Lane, was earmarked for closure as part of £14.9m cuts to Middlesbrough Council’s budget, announced in March.

A report to the executive has now recommended that the authority transfer its external training and conference business to the Riverside Stadium home of the club, which could see two members of staff made redundant.

MFC’s chief operating officer Mark Ellis said: “We have been working with the Council to maintain the MTLC business and have made a proposal for the transfer of the business to the Riverside that will be considered by the council this week.

“We are confident that MFC can offer the same level of service to the MTLC clients and maintain this capability in the area.”

Other options included doing nothing and closing the MTLC building on June 30, which would risk the economic benefit of training and conference business being lost to the town.

Another option was to transfer both the external business and all internal council business to the club but the report concluded that this option would not deliver the identified budget savings needed, and would tie the council into guaranteeing MFC a level of business it would be unable to fund.

The MTLC currently has a turnover of around £408,000 of which £120,000 was internal council business.

MFC estimated they can accommodate £260,000 worth of existing business - £160,000 external and £100,000 council but are unable to host large conferences and already have an existing wedding and banqueting function.

The council employs two members of staff who deliver the training and conference business, and formal redundancy consultations have begun.

If agreed, the transfer of business would see the club buy relevant equipment for £11,355, and Middlesbrough Council receive access to training and conference facilities up to the value of £32,000.