Sheffield students descend on new-look union

And as freshers arrived in the city for the start of term yesterday, Sheffield University’s new-look students’ union building was opened to students for the first time.

Professor Keith Burnett, vice-chancellor at Sheffield University, said: “We’re delighted that our award-winning students’ union, which is already the best in the country, is continuing to provide students with state-of-the-art facilities.

“The refurbishment reflects the strong partnership between the students’ union and the Uuiversity and demonstrates our commitment to providing an unrivalled student experience - something we’re really proud of.”

The revamped students’ union building, which was first built almost 50 years ago, features facilities including an “amphitheatre-style” space for special events within the new Octagon Piazza.

University House - which was one of the first glass curtain-walled buildings in the world when it was completed in 1963 - has now been integrated with the students’ union one single building.

The new-look union is also now home to the Inox Dine restaurant and six events spaces, catering for up to 250 delegates.

A spokesman for Sheffield University said yesterday: “The 100 capacity all-day casual dining restaurant will offer new top-class facilities, not only for staff and students, but also for the wider business community and restaurant goers across the city, featuring excellent city views and a contemporary British menu with international influences.

“The venue, which celebrates the Steel City’s heritage in its design, finishing touches and name - with the word Inox used for stainless steel in metallurgy -also features a speciality egg bar for breakfast meetings and a Sheffield-inspired afternoon tea.

“The new students’ union building also now houses additional bookable spaces for use as contemporary exhibition and business spaces and boasts improvements to the City View Cafe, as well as the venue spaces.”

Improvements have also been made to pedestrian access and landscaping, with a new bridge being created to connect the Octagon building with the students’ union.

The union employs more than 900 people and offers more than 350 societies.

Alasdair Buckle, president of Sheffield University students’ union, said: “The students’ union is already regarded by students as the best in the country so it’s fantastic to have worked in partnership with the university to ensure the student experience at Sheffield is second to none.

“It’s great that new students can start the term being able to enjoy an even bigger and better students’ union with top class facilities to suit our diverse student body.”

The building will be officially opened by Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield in a month’s time.

Meanwhile, hundreds of events are taking place in the new-look students’ union building this week to mark Fresher’s Week.

Activities this week will include running workshops, tarot demonstrations, karaoke sessions, film screenings, speed dating, quizzes and a scavenger hunt.