New £65 million student centre and nightclub will be built on campus at York

The building will be used for on-campus club nights and will open by 2025


A new £65 million student centre and nightclub will be built on campus at The University of York.

The building, which is set to be built on what is now Market Square, will be used as an event space for on-campus club nights and performances.

It is expected to open between September 2024 and September 2025, reported York Vision.

As well as a nightclub space, the building is also expected to contain study spaces, relocated offices for the student union, a bar and café, a student enquiry centre, and exhibition spaces.

The building documents suggest the building, located opposite the library, will have a budget of up to £65 million for the 4,000 to 5,000 square metre space.

Vice-Chancellor Charlie Jeffery told York Vision: “I think what our founders did in the 1960s was brilliant, however, I think that left us with a big hole, and that was the absence of a central student facility, which was a consequence of the choosing the college model. I think it is a real weakness. If you go to YUSU’s offices, it’s not an impressive building. If you go to the GSA’s offices, it’s almost impossible to find them.

He continued: “We should be saying to students you deserve a brilliant facility which would be multifunctional, the space can be used at different times of day for different purposes, it can provide a nighttime venue, it can provide flat floor space for student societies, and it can provide a setting where sensitively we can offer student welfare services.

“I think it’s something the university lacks and I’m deeply committed to delivering it.”

Student Union President, Patrick O’Donnell said: “I’m really pleased that the university is committed to delivering this ambitious project which will have a huge benefit to students. The new Student Centre will be shaped by students, with a range of new flexible spaces for students, including a purpose-built nighttime music venue.”

He continued: “While the opening date is a few years away, this project, a first in the university’s history, provides a real opportunity for students to have their say about how we can have improved facilities and student services. In the short term, we’re also using these conversations to highlight a number of issues that student groups face, such as lack of storage space, and identifying interim solutions.”

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