‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?

Ana Maria Rus

When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degrees When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degrees Over the next year, the Against the Tide project from the Guardian’s Seascape team will be