Current Students and Staff

// University News

Students’ Union update

It has been agreed that the University will purchase the land and building assets currently owned by Loughborough Students’ Union (LSU). This will allow the Students’ Union to concentrate on delivering the exceptional student experience for which it is renowned, without the considerable operational and financial challenges of running an ageing building.

The Loughborough Students’ Union building is more than 40 years old, and the costs associated with running and maintaining the building have risen considerably.  The deal aims to remove the associated risks to LSU’s long-term finances as a result of owning an ageing physical structure, whilst ensuring LSU has the finances in place to support the continued development of quality student spaces, services, venues and opportunities into the future.

In practice it means that LSU will sell the following to the University: the main LSU building, the nursery building, Rutland Lodge, the Purple Onion, and the land on which they reside, including the car parks. The University will become LSU’s landlord and LSU will lease the buildings back from the University. 

Nothing will change in terms of the Students’ Union’s day-to-day activities – they will continue to be organised by LSU. The Executive Team, together with permanent members of staff, will continue to have complete autonomy in developing the work of the Sections, as well as the services and entertainment programme that are delivered from the building for the students. There will be no change to LSU’s relationship with its sub-tenants (such as the dentist, hairdressers, and pharmacy).

There has been considerable discussion to reach this stage and ensure the deal is fair. The deal has the full support of the LSU Trustees Board and the wider leadership teams of both LSU and the University. The University and Students’ Union are in agreement that this development is the best and only way forward. 

The Students’ Union Executive Team and staff members have been informed, as have the tenant businesses within the building.

It is anticipated that the formal, legal processes will be complete in the next few months.

Categories