The University of Central Lancashire is pumping £300m into Preston's economy every year, it has been revealed. UCLan is bringing in massive investment by attracting big-spending new students to the city and its own campus.
Its annual £140m turnover is worth double to the city in 'real terms' with a student population of 32,000 and a workforce of more than 2,500.
And regeneration experts believe the immeasurable benefits of the university as an economic engine have an important part to play in the city's renaissance.
UCLan vice-chancellor Malcolm McVicar said: "One of the biggest challenges facing Preston is its image outside of the city and the university is obviously one of the key attractions bringing new people here and that is something we work very hard on.
"Preston does not get the attention or the recognition it deserves and, as a university, we are trying to change that with major capital projects, such as our £15m media factory, which will foster entrepreneurial advice to our students, and the £5.5m Allen building for the first students enrolling in our new School of Dentistry."
This week, the university appointed entrepreneur Len Collinson, who has acted as a consultant for blue-chip firms including Mitsubishi and Rolls-Royce, as an advisor for its graduates looking to start in business.
He will organise a series of lectures on enterprise by successful entrepreneurs and the university will give awards to students for successful start-up businesses.
Frank McKenna, chairman of business group Downtown Preston in Business, believes the university's booming student population can play a vital role in attracting leisure facilities to the city.
Last Updated: 08 August 2007 10:16 AM
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