Colleges announce talks about possible merger in Greater Manchester

Two colleges in Greater Manchester have today announced that they are to explore the opportunity of a possible merger aimed at providing a single, improved educational offer that will better serve the students and community of the borough of Stockport.

The Trafford College Group and The Cheadle and Marple College Network are working together to look at the possibility of a merger that could take place around the summer time of 2020. 

Graham Luccock, Chair of the Board of Governors at The Trafford College Group said,

‘I am delighted to be working with the staff and governing body of The Cheadle and Marple College Network to see how we can work together. Through our initial discussions it is clear that we share many of the same values, beliefs and culture which will enable us to continue to deliver the high standards of education that both college groups are proud of.’

The merger would create a single college group that would serve the community from the existing sites of the two colleges in Cheadle, Marple, Stockport, Stretford and Altrincham.

Alison Hewitt, Chair of the Board of Governors at The Cheadle and Marple College Network said,

‘Our proximity to The Trafford College Group as well as the complementary provision seen across the two groups means that a potential merger would be extremely beneficial to students across the borough of Stockport as well as providing a more robust educational institution that will be able to serve the community for many years to come.’