University campus plan for Blackpool town centre

The project – dubbed a multiversity because of its diverse educational options – would be delivered by the council in partnership with Blackpool and the Fylde College.

It has been included in Blackpool’s extended Town Deal bid, but the first step will be to carry out a £120,000 feasability study which is set to start in October.

Nick Gerrard, director of the council’s growth and prosperity programme, told a meeting of the tourism, economy and communities scrutiny committee, the multiversity would be “100 per cent” university standard.

He said: “The multiversity is a project which Blackpool and the Fylde College is fully behind to do with the establishment of a new campus in the town centre.

“Our strategy is to bring new life and vitality to the town centre, and bringing students in is part of that strategy to reinforce the economy.”

He said the concept of a multiversity was to provide “far broader educational opportunities for people”, and would build on existing partnerships with Lancaster University.

Mr Gerrard added: “It will be of university standard – 100 per cent.

“We have just gone out to tender to work up a plan. Before it can make progress we have to have something defined, to see if it is deliverable.

“The feasability study will take about a year, but it is potentially very exciting, bringing new uses into the town centre.”

No definite site for the scheme has been revealed, but it is expected to be part of phase four of the Talbot Gateway.

A report updating councillors on the Town Centre Regeneration Strategy says “this opportunity could stimulate the creation of a vibrant interaction between students and a renewed and developing town centre.”

Other benefits would include students helping to boost the night-time economy year-round, increased spending in shops and businesses and more interaction between students and businesses.