Local pro-lifers have welcomed the closure of the abortion centre run by BPAS

An abortion centre in the West Midlands has closed down and will no longer be carrying out abortions.

The centre, in Leamington Spa, was one of 30-plus abortion facilities operated by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), one of the two main abortion chains in the UK. The other is Marie Stopes, who have recently seen three of their employees in court after a woman bled to death following an abortion at their Ealing clinic.

Local pro-life volunteers have welcomed the closure, which took place suddenly and quietly on 31 March, and comes after many years of campaigning on their part. There have been seven 40 Days for Life vigils held outside.

Changing business model

Like many abortion facilities, the BPAS centre in Leamington Spa focused on mothers in the early stages of pregnancy by giving them abortion pills, whilst leaving late-term surgical abortions to NHS hospitals.

However, it is not clear at this moment exactly what prompted the abortion clinic to close - the efforts of pro-life volunteers, a reduction in 'business' or a changing business model.

Paul Tully, General Secretary of SPUC, notes that both BPAS and Marie Stopes, are moving away from free-standing centres to two-day-a-week operations out of spare rooms in existing general medical practices.

'Cause for celebration'

Whether because of the work of 40 Days for Life or a changing business model, Mr Tully says the closing of an abortion facility is a cause for celebration.

"We very much welcome the peaceful and prayerful activities of 40 Days. Many SPUC supporters participate in the vigils."

Buffer zones

The vigils are clearly having an impact on many abortion centres, because supporters of abortion are openly campaigning to have 'buffer zones' established around all abortion facilities by law.

If passed, such a law would prevent counsellors peacefully offering pro-life alternatives to expectant mothers facing a crisis pregnancy. Of course, this is the abortion industry’s aim - as we know that they don’t provide proper counselling themselves.

Undercover in Leamington Spa's abortion centre

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, one of the organisers of the March for Life UK - which takes place this Saturday - described going undercover into the Leamington Spa centre to sample its admission procedures.

"Even a reasonably seasoned pro-lifer like myself was surprised at the lack of counselling or should I say ‘at its absence.'" She described a crowded waiting room dominated by a blaring TV.

Lack of counselling

"I presumed this helped prevent women from having reflective thinking time."

As far as she could tell, there was no post-abortion psychological care; the 'clients' were simply sent outside for their rides. "There seemed to be a lot of women/girls just standing around or sitting on the ground looking empty and hopeless."

Sign our petition against the introduction of 'buffer zones' now.

And book your place to the March for Life this Saturday to meet Isabel and other great pro-life figures - Stephanie Grey, Ryan Bomberger and more!