Devonshire House to undergo major summer renovation

THE Students' Guild facility Devonshire House is undergoing an exciting renovation this summer to greatly improve the building. The Guild announced that “over the summer, your Students' Guild space (Devonshire House) is having an exciting refurbishment to significantly improve the building.” One of the Guild’s strategic goals is to make sure that their spaces are easily accessible, adaptable, and reflect the needs of students. The refurbishment occur at the same time as the Guild's newly announced rebranding, which will take place this summer.

The refurbishments will include the social study spaces being improved. As well as this, for events and activities, societies and student groups will be able to book a new flexible space. The Guild also plan to establish a central location for Guild services for all students, the Students’ Guild Advice Team, which is currently housed at the Forum, will relocate inside the building.

Charlie Gershinson Deputy Editor

From the 12th June through mid-September, the Guild have announced that Devonshire House will be temporarily closed. Whilst Devonshire House is closed, the Guild have highlighted that there are also nearby options for alternative communal study spaces, including Peter Chalk, the Sanctuary, Queens Café, and Forum Library.

In response to these upcoming changes, we asked students questions surrounding both their awareness of the refurbishment alongside their attitudes towards it. An overwhelming 65.2 per cent claimed they were unaware of the current refurbishment of Devonshire House. The majority of students responded they were unsure of what the changes entailed, and one student, in particular, noted that their understanding came solely from “word of mouth or rumours, I have heard nothing from the guild.” Similarly, another response revealed that they only knew of these changes “now because of this journo request” and had then “found it tucked away near the bottom of a Student Comms email, which isn’t ideal.” When asking students if they were personally impacted by these changes many were either unsure or noted their media society was being moved to a different location. While the responses indicated societies were mainly impacted, some students also commented on how study spaces will be affected. When asked whether they believed these changes were needed many were unsure due to not knowing what exactly these changes entailed. One response stated that while it makes sense for the Guild and Activities team to be closer in proximity, time will tell if it benefits students.