‘Campus Ken’ forced to leave
Students and staff have expressed their sadness that hairdresser Ken Fairburn is to leave campus at the end of this academic year, following University management’s refusal to allow him to renew his let on a room in Langwith College.
Fairburn has been told by management that he must vacate his current room, adjacent to Langwith B block, which he has occupied since 1990.
Sue Johnston, the head of Campus Services, has confirmed that orignal planning for Market Square requested that all commercial businesses were moved from their current locations to Market Square; where rents are £17,000 per year.
John Greenwood, head of Commercial Services, has said that “Ken is part of the fixture and fittings at the University and I think he’d do well in Market Square”. However, in a subsequent statement Greenwood acknowledged that rents in Market Square are “too high to attract small businesses”.
Paul Knapp, a customer of Fairburn’s, said, “It’s sad to see such a campus institution leave. It’s quite obvious that when Market Square was built, the University were determined to bully him into either hiring a shop 3 or 4 times the size he would need or to get shot of him”. Fairburn has said, “It would be impossible for me to move to Market Square on my own, as the rents are too high.” He added, “I’ve been so happy here, and I want to thank all the staff and students who have supported me”.
