Thousands join fight to save Wolverhampton horticulture centre

The eleven staff at The Old Tree Nursery in Pendeford Hall Lane, Pendeford have also arranged for up to 2,500 postcards pleading for a reprieve to be sent to Wolverhampton City Council.

A 12 week long period of consultation over the proposed shut down ended on Friday but a final decision on its fate is not due to be made by the local authority until January.

Nick Kelleher, from the union Unison who is representing the workers, said: "The response from the public has been tremendous and we are still campaigning for the nursery to remain open.

"The men involved are aged between 40 and 65. All have learning difficulties and some also have physical disabilities. they are all assistant gardeners who have provided valuable service in the community with some of them working at the nursery since it opened 28 years ago.

"If the place does close the chances of them finding work elsewhere in the current economic climate are very slim. that would represent between five and ten per cent of the entire disabled workforce of the council being removed at a stroke."

Phil Flavell, aged 59, from Bilbrook said:"It would be a terrible wrench if thee nursery was forced to close. We are an easy target for those looking for savings as the result of funding cuts. I have worked for the council for 32 years with the last seven of these at the Old Tree Nursery. It would be very difficult finding alternative work and so Christmas will be an uncertain and nervy time as we wait to discover what the city council are going to do with us."

Councillor Steve Evans, Wolverhampton City Council's cabinet member for adult services, said: "The city council is providing help and support to employees of Old Tree Nursery who may be affected by this proposal.

"We are working closely with them and have arranged work trials with other services in the council for those employees who have expressed an interest in finding alternative work. They are also receiving support from Advance, which helps people with a disability to improve their employability skills, such as help with interview techniques and completing application forms.We are also supporting employees who are considering alternative options including retirement or voluntary redundancy."

He added: "We are committed to helping people with a disability succeed in life and are carrying out a separate consultation to continue a supported employment service which will help people achieve the outcomes they want."