Students arriving at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) for the new academic year will be welcomed by some big changes on campus - including a new branch of Subway.
The famous sandwich chain has opened its newest store in the refurbished DMU Campus Centre, in time for the arrival of students new and old later this month.
The arrival of Subway is just one of the many new changes waiting in store for students as DMU's campus undergoes the biggest transformation in its history.
The development has already seen the creation of a Food Village and Staff Common Room along with the creation of the new Venue@DMU building for events, and various breakout areas across the campus buildings. Last week, The Venue@DMU was shortlisted for a construction award.
But several major projects are in the final stages of construction:
Vijay Patel Building
Most obviously, the new Vijay Patel Building - home of DMU's arts and design courses - is largely complete and the dramatic shape and design of the building fully revealed.
Over the summer break, courses have been migrating across into the huge new building and, from the start of the teaching term, the majority of trainee artists and designers will study within its impressive set of new teaching areas and facilities.
A grand launch is being planned to show off the Vijay Patel Building to the wider public in the new year.
On the other side of the building, alongside the Soar, work is under way on the Riverside Café, which, when finished, will be open to the public.
Mill Lane
Throughout the heart of the campus, the redevelopment of Mill Lane and the surrounding areas is also taking place.
The landscaping project is set to be completed by Christmas and will give the campus a modern, distinct new set of pedestrianised areas and plenty of green space, with the creation of landscaped mini-parkland.
While construction crews are still hard at work across campus, progress is moving forward, with new walkway sections clearly visible.
Work is being carried out in five phases between now and Christmas, with work shifting to a new area of Mill Lane in each phase, and pedestrian access clearly marked at each step.
Campus Centre
When renovation of the Campus Centre is complete, the building will provide a revitalised new home for the De Montfort Students' Union, which is temporarily housed in the former Art Factory.
The new-look Campus Centre will be officially opened in January and will contain a new Costcutter store along with the new Subway. While this branch of Subway is not Halal, there are seven stores - many in easy walking distance from campus - which are.
Leicester Castle Business School
Meanwhile, a short walk away, up Castle View, work is ongoing to complete the new Leicester Castle Business School.
Construction workers are currently refurbishing the 12th century Grade I listed Great Hall, giving the previously disused building a new lease of life.
The university is investing £4.2 million in the project, which will offer students a selection of new undergraduate and postgraduate courses specifically designed to prepare them for the demands of 21st century business.
Construction firm Robert Woodhead is now on site, carrying out extensive work on the building, which was until 1992 used as a courthouse. The building is expected to be open in the new year.
Posted on Friday 16 September 2016