Percy Gee redevelopment to begin!


On 26th May, the University will start a major refurbishment and extension project which, once completed, will have transformed the 1950s Percy Gee Building into a modern, purposeful and attractive new Students’ Union. It will feature a spectacular new atrium (bridging between the two wings) with communal social space for students and improved catering and retail facilities, a 1750 capacity music venue, bar, space for student societies, and increased provision for welfare & support services. Gone will be most of the 35 or so different levels that have made the building frustratingly inaccessible for wheelchair users in particular, as we have striven with the new scheme to make it completely accessible to all.

The Percy Gee Building is now 52 years old and is one of the oldest buildings on campus. In that time it has seen only relatively small changes. Once this redevelopment is finished (in time for the Fresher’s Fair in 2010), it will have drastically changed the face of the Union. The new building will serve as the heart of the campus for staff and students alike.

• There will be a new food outlet serving a modern, healthy and fresh menu.
• The new live music venue will be able to cater for the biggest and best live acts, as well as drama performances, comedy and exhibitions.
• A new Activities Resource Centre will provide space for societies, sports clubs, RAG and Contact, as well as a training suite for student leaders.
• A new shop, Nourish, will be launched providing food, drinks and other convenience items. In addition there will be a University Store selling second-hand books, print services, University clothing and merchandise, and stationery.
• A huge new atrium covering the space between the two wings of the building will form the ‘living room’ of the campus. Here you will be able to sit and work, talk, eat and drink.
• The new, larger and better resourced Welfare Advice Service is already open in its new location on the first floor of the wing which faces towards the centre of the campus.
• There will be an improved Accommodation Agency providing a managed accommodation service for landlords and students.
• A new education and representation service will give advice and assistance to students on all academic matters.
• The construction and the completed building will conform to high environmental standards (measured against the formal Building Research Establishment ‘BREEAM’ code) with a new bio-mass boiler to heat the building; the builders will be using low impact methods and materials.

Students everywhere are coming to universities wanting more than just a degree; they are concerned about the holistic lifestyle of being a student – from the particular bands that have gigged at the Union right the way through to whether the University has Fairtrade Status. What is dubbed ‘The Student Experience’ is in the Higher Education spotlight. This development and the large investment the University is making in it will place the University of Leicester at the forefront of developing the best student experience for its students and will help us to consolidate our position as one of the top universities in the UK. The chair of the Project Implementation Team (PIT), Helen Atkinson said,

“This is an extremely exciting project that will transform student lives for many years to come.”

The main contractor, Morgan Ashurst, arrives on site at the end of May but the Students’ Union and the other users of the building will not be moving out. Students’ Union Chief Executive, Trevor Page said,

“The Union will aim to provide the best student experience throughout the construction of this fantastic new facility.”

The Union’s Services Officer, Graham Ross said,

“We are developing services for the future, but we are not going to forget about the students of today. Next year will be challenging, but I am certain it will still be the best year of many students’ lives here at Leicester.”

In particular the following services will be unaffected until after the end of the Graduation period and the end of term:

• NatWest bank
• Redfearn Bar
• Advice Service
• Shop
• Print Shop
• The Venue – (including the normal evening events such as Madferit)
• The Student Support Centre
• Gym
• Second Hand Bookshop

All of these services will continue into the new academic year, although there may be changes to the provision of services including their location. If you have any queries do look at our FAQs at percygee.org.

Contacts
Helen Atkinson PIT Chair
Jim Whait Estates
Graham Ross Students’ Union Services Officer
Trevor Page Students’ Union Chief Executive