Durham University’s Students’ Union building is set for a £150,000 transformation after officers secured investment for renovations at Dunelm House. The work is intended to improve the building’s A and B levels before the start of the next academic year.
The investment follows a campaign led by Durham SU officers. SU President Abi Taylor and Community Officer Fran Brandon-Higgs announced the package on Instagram, describing it as a response to decades of underinvestment in the building, which is the home of Durham Students’ Union.
What is changing at Dunelm House?
The A level will receive new furniture and flooring, alongside an improved wheelchair lift. The changes are intended to make the building more accessible and provide more usable space for students.
Kingsgate Café is also being redesigned. Planned improvements include new lighting, plug sockets, a sound system, furniture and fresh paint. Officers hope the café can become a multi-purpose space for students to meet, study, socialise and hold events.
The existing bar will be removed because it is permanently out of use. In its place, the café will include a food and drinks station with free coffee and tea, microwaves, a fridge and a sink for students to use.
The café is expected to have a welcome area where students can speak to staff or a student staff member. New furniture is also planned, including sofas, chairs and tables, replacing what the project manager described as very low-level furniture. Outdoor furniture is planned for the balcony as well.
Free food and further student facilities
A student pantry is being created to provide free groceries and help address the cost-of-living crisis. The pantry will have annual funding for stock and staffing. It has already been painted and floored, according to the project manager.
The balcony will also be repainted and refurnished. Student consultation identified demand for additional study spaces, although the project manager said the refurbishment would take care not to overinvest in that type of provision.
Durham SU’s project manager for the renovation said the aim was to improve Dunelm House so its spaces better reflected students’ needs and gave them places to meet, have fun and socialise.
“improve the spaces in Dunelm House so they better reflect [everyone’s] needs and provide spaces for students to get together, have fun, and socialise.”
Outgoing SU President Abi Taylor said she was delighted that the University and Students’ Union were investing in the A and B levels. She said a renovated space would have made a difference during her time attending lectures at Elvet Riverside.
“Fran and I are particularly excited about Kingsgate’s renovation- the space will be full of comfy sofas and chairs, a food station and campaigning space. It should be a great place to meet friends, host events and study.”
When will the work be finished?
Work on the next two projects is expected to take place over the summer break. The project manager expects the refurbishment to be completed by mid-September, with the planned changes in place for the beginning of the next academic year.
