University Campus Development

2000s

The University of Chichester's Bognor Regis campus, on Upper Bognor Road, was developed and expanded during the 2000s as the institution grew from a college of higher education to full university status. The campus occupies a site that was previously part of the Bognor Regis College of Education, a teacher training college established in the mid-twentieth century. The expansion brought new buildings, student accommodation blocks, and improved teaching and sporting facilities, increasing the number of students living and studying in Bognor significantly. The university campus has had a measurable effect on the town, bringing a younger population to an area traditionally associated with retirees and families on seaside holidays. Students and staff contribute to the local economy through spending in shops, cafes, pubs, and the rental housing market. The campus offers courses in education, humanities, sport, dance, and the performing arts. The university's presence has brought cultural events, public lectures, exhibitions, and sporting activities that are open to the wider community. The relationship between the university and the town has not always been smooth, with some residents expressing concern about the impact of student numbers on parking, housing availability, and noise, but the broader economic and social contribution is widely recognised. The campus is one of the few institutions in the town that actively brings young adults to Bognor.