MANCHESTER Metropolitan University yesterday confirmed it will be closing its Alsager campus and relocating its entire South Cheshire set-up to Crewe, although no date has been given.

The university outlined its 10-year strategy which includes relocating all its Alsager facilities to Crewe.

Services director Tony Williams said: 'The university's commitment in South Cheshire will be further strengthened by a major programme of investment and expansion at Crewe as activities are gradually centralised there, but the Alsager site will remain in use for several years.'

Congleton Borough Council leader Rod Fletcher said he was extremely disappointed by the decision to close the Hassall Road campus.

He added: 'It will have a profound effect on Alsager. It's going to affect the economy. The students spend a lot of money in the shops and some businesses may become less viable.

'Also, there's about 200 houses in Alsager owned by landlords and rented out to students and if these suddenly become available this could affect property values.'

He added: 'There may be a minority who will be glad to see the back of the university because there have been occasional problems with students, but mostly the university was welcomed.'