‘Seven star’ student digs could become serviced apartments

The operator of a huge student accommodation scheme in Nottingham city centre has applied to turn part of the building into serviced apartments after suffering a lack of demand.

Fusion Students has applied to change the four floors of its Nova building on Talbot Street – some 165 rooms – into serviced accommocation until August 2018 to make sure it is full in its first year of operation.

A letter to Nottingham City Council from Alder King Planning Consultants, reads: “Whilst bookings are currently strong, a temporary change of use is sought to ensure that the building is fully occupied during its first year of operation. A degree of uncertainty exists about student uptake in the first year as the building is not due to be handed over from construction until one month before the start of term. This creates challenges in terms of marketing the development to prospective residents as many parts of the building cannot be viewed. Therefore Fusion Students are seeking to take a ‘belt and braces’ approach to occupation during the first year.”

Alder King says that a similar approach has been used by Fusion at developments in Bristol and Newcastle.

Fusion had originally marketed Nova, which it is spending £40m on, as “seven-star” accommodation, offering Nottingham’s highest quality student flats.

Prices at Nova range between £134 per week to £243 per week for a 51-week contract, including bills.

Last December Warren Rosenberg, co-founder of Fusion Students, said: “Nottingham is not only emerging as a place of first-class education but also a lively, cultural city – the perfect location for students.”