LAWRENCE Bellamy is associate dean at the University of Chester's Padgate campus and writes a weekly column for the business section.

NEW students will soon be arriving at the University’s Warrington campus. It is now 12 years since the University of Chester took over the 30 acre facility at what was the site of the original ‘Padgate College’.

This year will be a special for the university as it celebrates its 175th anniversary, making it one of the oldest higher education institutes in the country.

The campus which became a place of education in 1946 will be celebrating with various events, which will involve alumni, businesses and local communities.

There are now around 2000 students studying at the ‘Padgate Campus’ (which strictly speaking is not in Padgate).

This marks a slow but steady increase in university activities in Warrington, covering areas including business, social care, nursing, media, sport, policing and education.

An active university is an essential ingredient for a successful town.

Each full-time student will boost the local economy by around £15-20K per year when considering fees, accommodation and expenses.

They also make a significant contribution to the workforce of the area, filling part-time positions and often gaining full-time employment locally.

It will be interesting to see how much this asset can be developed in Warrington over the next decade and beyond.