1100 back halt to uni shop redevelopment

The King’s Building shop has existed for 40 years, but students claim that new plans by the university to expand the space – and double the rent – will price the existing owners out.

The petition calls for the refurbishment to be cancelled and demands consultation with students over any future proposals. It adds: “By doubling rent on increased space, the university seeks to push this outlet out of business in order to increase profits for themselves with little consideration of the wishes of staff and students.

“We the undersigned call for rent to be fixed and the insurance that this will not be a threat in the future.”

A spokesperson for the university said: “Renovation and expansion of the shop,  involving considerable investment costs, will allow the premises to be modernised, and to cater for increased numbers of staff and students.

“It will also facilitate access for disabled customers. The planned changes to the premises are the final stage in a programme of refurbishment at KB Centre. The extended premises will be approximately twice as big as before, and phased rent increases will be put in place over a number of years.”