THE ‘iconic’ field studies centre at Malham Tarn is to close in the next few weeks, it has been confirmed.

The Field Studies Council, which has run the residential, education centre at Malham Tarn for more than 70 years, said it had made the ‘difficult decision’ to close and that despite the ‘best efforts of all parties’ it would be handing back the lease to the National Trust.

The FSC, which has more than 20 centres across the country, including six in London and still includes Malham Tarn on its website, blames a ‘long period of closure over the pandemic’ and ‘access constraints’ amongst reasons for closure.

It says four members of staff have been found other jobs with the charity, but six others, including two casual employees, have been made redundant.

The National Trust said the site, the former home of Victorian politician and philanthropist Walter Morrison, which will remain the responsibility of the FSC until August, 2023, will not be sold and over the next year it will consider what to do with the building.

Ian Wainwright, the FSC’s commercial director, said: “This has not been an easy decision for the charity.

“We have had a very long association with this iconic location, but like all charities, we have to ensure that our finances are in good health.”

He added: “A combination of a long period of closure over the pandemic, rising costs, recruitment challenges, interruptions to the water supply and access constraints have all had an impact.

“Every effort was made to find alternative employment within the charity and that has been successful for four members of the team. Unfortunately, four members of staff will be made redundant.

“A further two employees who were on fixed term contracts will not have their contracts renewed.”

He added: “We know that many staff, trustees and customers who have visited and worked at Malham over many years will be saddened by this decision, but we have to adapt to the challenges we face.

“We are in the process of contacting any organisations who have bookings at this site to offer them alternatives.

“The changes that we are making will ensure that the charity is in the best financial shape possible to meet the changing expectations and growing demands of our customers and the increasing needs of our beneficiaries in the years to come.”

A National Trust spokesperson said: “We are very sad to see the end of our working partnership with the Field Studies Council in the Yorkshire Dales. There has always been a close working relationship between the two organisations, with our tenancy agreement in place since 1947, and our thoughts are with the staff who work at the Malham centre affected by this decision.

“In the short term, the building remains in the care of the Field Studies Council until the tenancy ends in August 2023. As a National Trust owned building, Tarn House will not be sold, and the charity will now take time to review plans for the building’s use in the future.”

Earlier this year, members of staff at the centre were told of proposals to close the residential outdoor recreation centre - visited by thousands of students and families over the years.