Praise for Shrewsbury’s new student accommodation

Work to convert an unused building in Shrewsbury into student accommodation has been praised by Shropshire Council.

Mardol House is home to students at the new University Centre Shrewsbury.

Formerly occupied by the county magistrates court and Inland Revenue offices the building had been empty for up to 15 years before work was carried out to convert it into modern hall of residence for upto 85 students.

Work was carried out for Shropshire Council by contractor Willmott Dixon and was completed in mid-September, ready to welcome the first students.

The accommodation, covering an area of 2,800 sq m (28,000 sq ft), consists of 31 studio apartments with kitchenettes, 47 en suite apartments, 4 apartments adapted for students with disabilities, and one residential apartment for a residential tutor and one two-bedroomed family apartment for post graduates.

The building is managed by Shire Services – Shropshire Council’s cleaning and catering company – who are responsible for cleaning, maintenance and student liaison.

Claire Wild, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for University Centre Shrewsbury, said:

“The new accommodation really has breathed life back into one of Shrewsbury’s most prominent town centre buildings.

“We now have a modern hall of residence that we can be really proud of, and that I’m sure is the envy of many other universities. The students have commented on how pleased and impressed they are with their accommodation, and people visiting on open days have been really impressed too.

“The accommodation is also in a brilliant location – just a short walk from the main teaching buildings at Guildhall and Rowley’s House. Housing students there is providing a real boost to the Shrewsbury town centre economy, as they can easily visit the many shops, cafes, bars, clubs and other attractions in the town centre.

“We’re now looking forward to welcoming more students to Mardol House, and to Shrewsbury, next year.”

Work to convert Mardol House also included: the renovation of a former caretaker’s flat on the top floor as a two-bedroom apartment for a post graduate family; a laundrette; a new ground-floor entrance hall and marketing suite with new stairs; a new lift-shaft; and two internal fire escapes