The muti-phase project began in Summer 2025, and improvements included repairs to the roof, new lighting, upgraded toilet facilities and, most recently, new furniture in the Exhibition Area. These improvements to James France offer students not only a new space to study and collaborate in, but new methods for sharing ideas.
In attendance were Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Rachel Thomson, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education & Student Experience Professor Sam Grogan, and LSU President Mia Jackson. They were joined by members of the Teaching Space Refurbishment Group and the Students’ Union leadership team.
Speaking at the event, Professor Thomson said: “These updates to James France are not only essential in improving the quality of facilities on campus but also in enhancing the student experience, providing a multi-purpose, centralised and inclusive hub for our community.
“I’d like to thank members of the Teaching Space Refurbishment Group, in particular Estates and Facilities Management Project Manager Tim Oakey, and Events Manager Claire Fletcher, with support from Becky Henry, for leading these essential developments to improve our study space options.”
Professor Grogan said: “James France is a core social learning space on campus where students from all academic disciplines come together to network, create and collaborate. I’m grateful to the staff behind the scenes for their work but also to students for their feedback to inform the design of the space; their voice is essential in improving Loughborough’s student experience.”
Mia said: “The LSU are pleased to see continued investment from the University into improving our existing study space offerings. The changes in James France Exhibition Area provide dynamic and accessible options for individual and group study. We look forward to collaborating further with the University in delivering teaching space refurbishments and continuing to improve the student experience.”
For more information on how student voices can help shape the student experience, check out the Your Voice, Your Impact webpage.