THE University of Chester has been granted planning permission to move to Warrington town centre.

Warrington Borough Council has approved an application which will see the university take up residence in the £142million Time Square development.

It will occupy units located between the Botanist and Cineworld as part of plans to move operations away from its Padgate campus from September this year.

Warrington Guardian: The University of Chester Warrington Campus

Submission documents stated: “The University of Chester’s proposal to create a new town centre offer is part of a wider initiative to improve the university’s presence within the town centre.

“The purpose of the new university centre is to improve accessibility, to expand the teaching and learning offer, to deliver localised continuing professional development, short courses and conference events and to widen access to the local community and school groups.

“Spaces will be digitally rich, agile and flexible and allow students, staff and the wider community to have access to a range of facilities – including a digital learning hub and TED Talk space, as well as a suite of teaching and learning spaces and informal social lounge spaces which are supported by a cafe and concierge facility.”

Warrington Guardian:

WBC’s consent for the scheme was given on Friday, May 7.

The University of Chester will also take up residence in the former Mersey Bank House on Barbauld Street, a former tax office which will be renamed the Sarah Park Remond Building, as part of its move to the town centre.

Warrington Guardian:

Vice chancellor Professor Eunice Simmons previously said of the plans: “The university’s desire to grow its Warrington presence in the heart of the town is aligned to its citizen student strategy to provide a premium, personalised and purposeful experience to its learners.

Warrington Guardian:

“This town centre location helps to realise the ambition to broaden the reach and accessibility of the university in Warrington whilst supporting Warrington Borough Council to focus on areas of growth, providing strategic support for the post-Covid economic and cultural recovery.”