The largest Covid facility in England, the Rosalind Franklin Laboratory, debuted in Leamington Spa in the summer of 2021.

The UK Health and Security Agency explained that at one point almost 8.5 million Covid tests were administered there, however since there has been less demand for this, and capacity is being reduced as a result. The labs employees were made aware last week.

“almost 8.5 million Covid tests were administered there, however since there has been less demand for this, and capacity is being reduced as a result.“

There is potential for the pharmaceutical sector to utilise the space now it has spare capacity.

Councillor Andrew Day of Warwick District Council commented: "We were told it was going to be here to deal with the medical testing. In a funny kind of way, I am actually pleased that we don't need to be doing so much Covid testing."

But he stressed the importance of using the lab to "create yet more jobs and more opportunities in the bio-medical sciences area".

The vacant building was converted in 2021 in response to emergency Covid protocols, with the project being given retroactive planning approval much later on.

Employees were disgruntled by the recent revelations, with the general consensus being that although they were proud of their participation during the peak Covid period, they now believe valuable financial and labour resources are being misused.

According to the local government, those made redundant are receiving support in finding alternative employment.

The Warwick and Leamington Spa Labour MP Matt Western said: "at the time it was not clear whether this way going to be an NHS facility or a private facility. Questions need to be asked about where those agency workers came from” and who profited from it.”

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