The iconic West Cheshire College campus on Sutton Way could become the college’s main base as it fights enormous funding cuts.

Chief executive and principal Nigel Davies made a shock pre bank holiday announcement there that almost 80 jobs could be cut across the college, understood to be running in the red.

His presentation came shortly after a similar event at the flagship science and technology campus in Chester which led to calls to the Pioneer’s sister title, the Chester Chronicle, suggesting that campus would be culled to help cope with the crisis.

Both campuses only opened in 2011 in a £65m investment by the college in its future.

But the troubled college will not go beyond confirming it is ‘reviewing and reconfiguring our current estate’.

It insists any decisions will depend on the outcome of the review.

In a further statement, however, it was confirmed the college was considering ‘one main campus’ and that it was already looking at opening a more accessible city centre-based location in Chester for students there.

Any changes are due to be up and running for students to start their studies in September.

The college said: “West Cheshire College has announced plans for the forthcoming year that will provide the foundations for a sustainable and effective college for the future, meeting the skills and training needs of both employers and local communities.

“The Further Education (FE) sector is going through a period of rapid transformation and colleges nationally and locally are facing unprecedented external funding cuts.

“In 2014/15 West Cheshire College’s core income from the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and Education Funding Agency (EFA) will be reduced by over £2m.

“In order for the college to maintain high quality, relevant training and education for individuals, communities and industry, the college is looking to make reductions in pay and non-pay expenditure.”

Mr Davies himself added: “As a college we are facing serious funding and financial challenges which we need to respond to.

“This will include reviewing and reconfiguring our current estate to ensure that our curriculum and facilities are aligned to the needs of our different markets enabling us to continue to provide a high quality service that meets the needs of employers and our local communities.”

It is revealed that staff have been informed of a cross-college reduction of about 79 posts.

The college statement continued: “The college is working hard with staff and recognised trade unions to mitigate job losses through offering voluntary severance and redundancy as well as ensuring redeployment opportunities are maximised.

“The college has now embarked on a consultation period with staff and recognised trade unions.”

It says it has implemented a comprehensive curriculum planning review to ensure courses, subjects and qualifications meet market demand.

“The reduction in college income, the need to proceed with the property strategy, improving our effectiveness and efficiency whilst ensuring a modern high quality and relevant curriculum, is essential if the college is to survive, thrive and achieve its mission of becoming outstanding,” it concluded.

It is understood the college is in the red by seven figures and changes will involve the withdrawal of loss making courses.

The bombshell comes hard on the heels of a short notice inspection by Ofsted which found the college, which has more than 15,000 students, requires improvement.

A previous inspection rated the college as ‘good’.

Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Andrew Miller (Lab) said of the town’s new campus: “It is a building that will inspire learning for people of all ages.

“The people of Ellesmere Port deserve the best and I am delighted that the college has been able to achieve its ambitions with the opening of this incredible new campus.”