News | Friday, 25th November 2016

Manchester Metropolitan University announcement about its Cheshire Campus in Crewe

Manchester Metropolitan University has been undertaking a review of the long-term future of academic provision at its Cheshire campus. The University’s Board of Governors met today (Friday 25 November) to discuss the three options considered within a business case prepared by external consultants.

After full and careful consideration, the Board has endorsed a preference to withdraw from the campus.

It is important to note the Board of Governors endorsement does not constitute a final decision about the future of the Cheshire campus. Work will now begin to develop this option further. The University started a period of collective consultation today at a meeting with representatives of the University’s recognised trade unions (UCU, UNISON, GMB).

The University Executive Group will consider feedback from the collective consultation exercise before asking the Board of Governors to make a final decision in the Spring Term 2017.

The review was undertaken following the decision by the Board, at an earlier meeting, that the campus was neither academically nor financially sustainable.

Any changes that come about as a result of this course of action will be staged over a period of time, and it is planned that students will continue to be taught at the Cheshire campus until Summer 2019.

Professor Malcolm Press, Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “It has been evident for some time that the Cheshire campus is no longer academically or financially sustainable for the University. The review conducted by Deloitte has examined the options in detail and concluded that the only viable solution is withdrawal from the campus. I recognise the significance of this for the staff, students and local community, but it is important to note that this remains a proposal subject to further consultation.”