Let us graduate as a university town (From Warrington Guardian)

Let us graduate as a university town

THE 2,000 students at the University College Chester's Warrington campus could soon be graduating from the country's newest university.

The Government is expected to announce the creation of seven new universities next month, and hotly tipped as one of the favourites is University College Chester, which has campuses in Warrington and Chester.

And the Warrington Guardian is calling on the Government to make Warrington a university town.

Guardian editor Nicola Priest said: "Warrington is a growing town with first class schools and businesses, it's time we had a university as well."

Mrs Priest was joined by Warrington MP Helen Southworth in a call for university status. And they have been joined by Warrington-based pop guru Pete Waterman, who is an honorary fellow at the university college.

Professor Tim Wheeler, principal of the University College, added: "The investment we are making in the Warrington campus is significant and part of our wider plans to deliver a first class learning experience to all students.

"Warrington has grown significantly in size and population. It is one of the largest towns in the country with a superb location for businesses and a thriving student population.

"Warrington deserves to be a university town and we are now keeping our fingers crossed that, after months of hard work, the Government may soon make a favourable decision on university status.

"We appreciate the backing of the Warrington Guardian and Warrington MP Helen Southworth, who share our dream to enhance Warrington's educational facilities."

The Government pledged to create additional universities across the country to enable greater participation in higher education.

A decision on which colleges have been successful is expected in early March.

University status can have a significant positive impact on a town's local economy, triggering increased applications for student places and boosting funding and investment opportunities.