The company's chief executive Matthew Bullock, pictured left, said: "We've been talking to them about our needs and we've had good interaction with them.

"In Norwich, where we are also based, we've built up a very good relationship with the city college there. They've created a financial academy with the Learning Skills Council and we work on a sandwich basis with a number of their degree students.

"We're bringing that kind of experience into Peterborough."

Feature: Plans for University College Peterborough take shape
Hannah Gray learns more about the progress of the University Centre Peterborough, and finds out what courses you can study for right now. 3 September 2008
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"If you've got people who want to get degree level qualifications, you can offer that in a city Peterborough's size.

"It means people don't have to go away and we don't lose talent."

Matthew believes that as well as enabling people to study in the city, and providing a pool of skilled, talented labour for his company, creating a university in Peterborough will have other advantages.

"I think you only have to look at a city like Lincoln and the change the university has brought to the social mix of the town," he said.

"Students have a different lifestyle, and when they go to university they often stay in the town where they've been studying."

Another big supporter of the University Centre is Allan Arnott, pictured right, who is the operations director of Perkins, and also the centre's non-executive chairman.

He said his company was pleased with the plans for a city university.

"Perkins is very excited at the prospect of high quality higher education being available locally for its current and future employees and their families," he said.

"We are in discussion with the university authorities about playing an active part, for example in the provision of facilities for engineering and manufacturing studies."

So why does he think a university is such a good thing for the city?

Allan said: "First and foremost having a university will bring the availability of an extended range of higher education provision to the people of Peterborough, including undergraduate provision, post graduate study and continuous professional development.

"What this means is that the people of Peterborough will be able to continue or complete their education without having to leave the area which will be a tremendous boost to the individuals as well as to the economy of Peterborough.

"Having large numbers of part-time and full-time students attending our various city centre locations will add vibrancy and choice to the leisure economy in Peterborough."

Allan is sure that Peterborough will be able to compete in the competitive higher education market.

"There is no doubt whatsoever that the University Centre will be able to compete primarily because it is uniquely positioned as the place of higher education in the area.

"Studies have shown that there is huge demand for locally available higher education and the curriculum and courses will be specifically designed to meet the needs of business and employers in Peterborough."