Student feedback is helping to shape plans for the student space that was formerly the Waterhole Bar in the Students’ Union.
The Waterhole Bar was closed after long-term decline in alcohol sales, dropping 20% year on year for the past 4 years and so the University is reinvesting in a refurbished social space open to all students which should be transformed in the new year.
Thoughts and ideas from the student body have been collected from waterholeideas@port.ac.uk and from feedback collected by the Students’ Union.
Students said they wanted a safe student-friendly area suitable for work, rest and play, and the following ideas will be taken forward for approval:
- Games area with board games and pool tables
- Study area where students can work and charge their laptops
- An expanded cafe area with more street food options and microwaves, plus hot water dispensers for tea and coffee which will be trialled and if popular will see a more permanent hot water station installed
Focus groups will be taking place with students in December to discuss more ideas and to also help decide on new furniture and decor for the venue, which you can get involved in by emailing president@upsu.net.
The space will also be bookable by staff, students and societies, particularly for evening events.
If you still have ideas you’d like the University to consider please email waterholeideas@port.ac.uk.