£1.5m student accommodation scheme for University of Cumbria

Professor Peter Strike, who steps down this summer, was speaking at the official opening of the Unest accommodation block in Victoria Place. 

He said that the university would have to expand to help the county find the skilled people to work on the Moorside nuclear project and other major schemes.

He added: “Cumbria is in line for between £25bn and £45bn of inward investment. In an area with a population of 500,000 people, that is extraordinary.

“Some 80,000 skilled jobs will be required. It's hugely important that we hold onto the talent we have and that we attract people to come, and this development will help us to do that.”

Chartered accountant Ian Lancaster has converted the former Central Clinic, which closed in 2008, into accommodation for 50 students. 

Most of the bedrooms are en suite – eight are doubles – and there are seven communal kitchens, a games room, lounge and laundry room, and a 20Mbps broadband connection.

Students pay from £85 per week in term time, plus a retainer to hold the room over the summer.

The first moved in last autumn and 35 rooms are currently occupied. Unest expects to achieve 100 per cent occupancy in 2016-17.

Mr Lancaster said: “I first looked at this building five years ago when I was looking for new offices and it was far too big. Then in 2014 I saw 'for auction' signs outside so I went along and bought it – then the hard work started.

“It's absolutely vital that we have a thriving university in this area. It's so important that we keep talented young people in the county.” 

Carlisle builder McKnight & Son carried out the conversion while  Handelsbanken provided finance.

It has not all been plain sailing, however. When Storm Desmond hit in December, the drains backed up flooding the lower ground floor causing £100,000 worth of damage.

Mr Lancaster said: “Contractors worked over Christmas to get the property back in time for the start of the new term in January.”