'University job cuts would affect our city'

University students Joe Crowe, left, and Sam Whitworth, said potential job cuts are "a concern"

The prospect of hundreds of job cuts at Lancaster University could damage the city's economy, students have warned.

Teaching and research staff have started taking industrial action as the university seeks to cut 400 full-time posts as part of efforts to save £30m, amid rising costs and a fall in international student numbers.

Members of the University and College Union have begun working to rule, refusing to cover absent colleagues or undertake any work outside their job description.

Student Joe Crowe, from Surrey, who is on a marketing and advertising course, said: "Cutting jobs is a concern. I have some sympathy with the lecturers because they think they're being wrongly treated."

Market stall holder Mike Gallavan said half of his customers are students

In the city centre, market stall holder Mike Gallavan said: "Anything that impacts on students will undoubtedly affect business and stallholders and half of my customers are students."

"Universities are obviously really important for local businesses, with thousands of students and staff," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"I've read about some universities having financial challenges. Perhaps some have over-committed themselves in different ways?"

The university has said while compulsory redundancies have not been ruled out, every effort was being made to try to find savings "through voluntary means".

"We recognise that this period of change is a deeply unsettling time for our staff, students, and the communities we serve, and we do not enter into this process lightly," a spokesman said.

"However, achieving financial sustainability is essential to securing the university's future."

Sam Whitworth, from Rochdale, who is studying geography, said: "I got an email from the university about the union situation.

"There have already been some cuts at the university to things like college bars.

"I think the bars receive money from the university but are run by the students' union. But some bars were closed at the end of last year."

Jill Dukes said the fruit and vegetables stall is popular with students

Jill Dukes, part of the Strongs fruit and vegetables stall, said: "Any job losses at the university will be a concern for Lancaster and the wider area.

"Students and staff are important for business and in the summer when students are away, the market is quieter.

"Students probably make up between 10 and 20% of our customers. Generally, many young people are vegetarians and interested in local food and independent businesses, so they're good for a stall like this.

"There's a lot of Chinese students too. They arrive in September, find their feet over a few weeks and discover all the local shops and businesses. They're important too."

Tom Bennett, a Lancaster nuclear engineering student from Kent, said: "The university forms a big part of Lancaster's economy and life and it's got a good ranking for research and study.

"But I don't know how all these changes might affect its ranking. I have some sympathy with staff, they are lovely people and don't deserve to lose their jobs."