Monday saw Leeds University Union announce the launch of their 2014-2018 strategic plan which is likely to result in a multi-million pound investment in LUU facilities.

The plan, which uses student feedback from LUU’s  Slate Your Building and Express Yourself research, as well as suggestions from annual student forums, will be submitted to the University for approval in January.

Announced on their official website, LUU revealed that the Union building itself will be the focus of initial improvements, with the South Entrance, the Common Room, the Arts Quarter and Riley Smith all set for revamps.

Describing the proposed improvements as their ‘Biggest Development Ever’, LUU said: “We’ll be building an extension at the rear of the building to improve navigation through the Union and to key areas such as the Hidden Café, Essentials and the University’s Refectory.”

“As one of your favourite performance spaces, we’ll be giving the Riley a complete overhaul, complete with new interior design, improved lighting and retractable seats to give maximum flexibility to the space.”

Before finally adding: “We’ll be creating more space for our societies to meet, plan, dance and perform with 4 studio meeting rooms, a redesign of Mine and Pulse for daytime use as cafes, and we’re bringing the Raven back online as a unique theatre under the ground.”

Work on a Union-wide refurbishment is due to begin in summer 2015.

 

Greg Whitaker