01/12/2006 16:15:00
Closures proposed as part of YHA’s New Strategy have begun to take effect but it will be business as usual for some locations on the list.
YHA Earby, in Lancashire and YHA Wooler, in Northumberland, will both continue to operate as normal.
The property at Earby was bought by Pendle Council, which has agreed to lease it back to YHA.
YHA Wooler was purchased by the Glendale Gateway Trust and has re-joined YHA as a franchise operation under the Enterprise scheme.
Another hostel expected to follow suit is YHA Alston, which is set to resume business early in the New Year.
Several other properties were auctioned off recently, namely: YHA Blackboys, YHA Elmscott, YHA Greenhead, YHA Hastings, YHA Kirkby Stephen and YHA Steps Bridge.
The buyers of all except Hastings have expressed an interest in continuing to operate the premises as Youth Hostels and have expressed an interest in remaining with YHA through the Enterprise scheme.
Sales have also been agreed for YHAs Hampstead, Kemsing and Byrness while three leased hostels, at Bellingham, Dartington and Trefin, are now closed and have been returned to their respective landlords.