University banks on £20m funding facility
The University of Leicester has secured a £20m support package from Barclays Corporate. The funding aims to help the university proceed with two major projects, including an upgrade of sports facilities and a new block of accommodation.
The first part of the regeneration scheme is for student accommodation, which will result in an extra 281 rooms being built near the main campus.
Twenty-one studio apartments will be constructed, alongside 260 rooms which will be grouped into flats. The accommodation will be completed in time for students to move into in September this year.
An upgrade and expansion of sports facilities for students in the student village in Oadby will also go ahead. The gymnasium will be refurbished, and a 25-metre swimming pool will be constructed.
The vice-chancellor, Professor Sir Robert Burgess, said: “The university has a strong relationship with Barclays Corporate who provided a loan facility five years ago for other student developments - The John Foster Hall of Residences and a contribution to the cost of the David Wilson Library.”
David Glover, relationship director in the education team at Barclays Corporate, said: “Our relationship with the University of Leicester has been built over a number of years. We are delighted to see the University’s continued growth and to be able to support them with their latest, exciting expansion project.”
