First students arrive at Hastings University Centre

But as more information came to light about the nature of a university in Hastings, some confusion set in.

On Monday the first 200 students will sit in new classrooms in the old BT building in Havelock Road, converted at a cost of several million pounds, to study for university courses.

There really is a University Centre Hastings (UCH) '” but what does it mean and how much hope is there that it will boost the town?

The Observer spoke to a key figure in the development of the new academic institution, the Learning, Skills and Enterprise manager for the Hastings and Bexhill Task Force.

Polly Thornton has been in the post since June and brings a wealth of experience from business, teaching, academia and management consultancy.

Her specialist subject is effective management practice and she says she is totally committed to widening participation in education. She has lived locally for a number of years and wants to see the community benefiting from the opportunities being created by UCH.

UCH, she said, is filling a gap in Hastings: it will offer university education in the town in specific courses that will provide skills needed by employers.

But there are limits '” there will be no degrees from UCH, instead other universities will operate on the site. This term the students have simply relocated from Hastings College, and the range of courses will be restricted.

Mrs Thornton is upbeat about its significance, however, saying: "What is different about UCH is that at its core is the idea that education is an economic driver and will effect economic change in the community.

"But at the same time we will be doing all the other things that universities should do such as personal development and the search for truth.

"We are not setting ourselves up as another university struggling along the bottom but as a place where we can bring top quality education to Hastings."

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