THE man who was pivotal in developing Burnley’s university centre is stepping down after more than 28 years.

Deputy vice-chancellor Alan Roff has retired from the University of Central Lancashire but leaves Burnley with a lasting legacy.

And now Mr Roff hopes that an enterprise centre will be created alongside the campus to boost trade and regenerate the area.

He would like to see a new centre which teaches students how to run a business, as well as facilities for the wider community.

Mr Roff added: “I expect there will be far more successes at the centre and we have proved there are people who want to do higher education courses in Burnley.

“We always said the university and college campus was about helping the regeneration of Burnley’s economy as well as education. An education and enterprise partnership is the way Burnley needs to go and is one of the ways that will help the town.”

Back in 2006 Mr Roff led the project to extend the Preston-based university into East Lancashire.

His vision to create a centre of ‘educational excellence’ became a reality when the campus opened in 2009 following a partnership with Burnley College.

Mr Roff, from Whalley, said: “It is a wonderful campus. Back in 2005 we identified a need for university centres in Burnley and Blackburn. Blackburn College got on with Blackburn and the university got on with Burnley.

“There was a lower than average university participation rate in Burnley and we took the decision unless we provide a centre we wouldn’t make a significant effect in higher education.

“But also it fitted with the university’s plans. We wanted to open a campus in that part of the world.

“It was a nice project to put together and given the needs of Burnley this is a project I wanted to see to the end.”

The former Lancashire Economic Partnership chair joined the university in 1983 as head of computing services.

Over the last 20 years, Mr Roff has held a variety of directorate positions including responsibilities for academic affairs, strategic planning and student recruitment.

He said: “It's been a pleasure and a privilege to work at the university as it has grown from the smallest polytechnic in the country to one of the largest and most successful universities.

“When I arrived, we had 4,000 mainly local students and a tiny campus. Now we have 35,000 students from all over the world, a modern campus and employ almost 3,000 staff in Preston and Burnley.”