News / bedminster
Hundreds of students will miss freshers week due to unfinished accommodation
The University of Bristol are giving £250 to first year students who will not be able to move into their newly built accommodation in time for freshers week.
Metal Works in Bedminster is due to be home to more than 800 students but they will only be able to move in on September 14, therefore missing the university’s Welcome Week which takes place from September 9 to 13.
The university has apologised to affected students and as well being given the one-off payment of £250, students will be provided with a bespoke series of activities and events.
is needed now More than ever
A university spokesperson said that the accommodation was always due to open on September 14 and the issue is to do with the upcoming Welcome Week taking place a week earlier than usual in order so exams can be held before Christmas.
Metal Works on Percy Street, between Windmill Hill City Farm and Dalby Avenue, is the university’s first student accommodation block in south Bristol and consists of five buildings built on a former smelting works and car repair business.
The 814 undergraduate students will live in flats of five to 12 residents, with all rooms en suite and rent costing £8,728 for a 42-week tenancy.
The lobby of Metal Works will only welcome students after Welcome Week – photo: University of Bristol
A University of Bristol spokesperson said: “Metal Works is an exciting, brand-new development for more than 800 students located in south Bristol, in the vibrant Bedminster area of the city.
“The move-in date, as stated on our website, is 14 September 2024. This is in time for the start of teaching on 16 September but after Welcome Week.
“We know how important Welcome Week is for new students and we’re sorry if this causes any disappointment.
“A package of support and a series of events are being arranged for all residents so they can get to know each other and their local community during the first term in their new home.”
Self-catering flats inside Metal Works will be occupied by five to 12 undergraduate students – photo: University of Bristol
In a statement, Bristol Students’ Union said: “We’re aware that there are a number of students who have been allocated accommodation in Metal Works, a new development in south Bristol, and their move-in date will be after Welcome Week.
“Although this is the date that has been advertised, we’re disappointed that there are students who will be unable to take part in Welcome Week this year.
“It’s unacceptable that this wasn’t made clearer to students at what can already be a stressful time for them, and particularly for students who were allocated Metal Works as accommodation rather than having chosen it.
“Welcome Week is an important time of year for community building and starting to create connections to the city and university.
“Since we’ve heard how students are being affected, we’ve been putting pressure on the university to make sure that students living in Metal Works don’t feel left out of social events and that there are reasonable alternative offered to them to help them transition into university life.”
Metal Works on Percy Street is the University of Bristol’s first student accommodation block in south Bristol – image: University of Bristol
Main photo: Martin Booth
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