Strathclyde's Student Union

Recently the University of Strathclyde campus has undergone a transformation, using £60 million to develop and build a brand new 'Learning and Teaching Building', which also houses the new students' union. As it only opened in September 2021, I thought it would be interesting to go and review it. I won't lie, I did head there with a slight feeling trepidation because I think that the old union was great and I wasn't sure how I'd feel about such a new and different building style. I was pleasantly surprised!

The new union is bright and airy, utilising a modern open plan design to create a roomy and inviting space. After entering the building, a short flight of stairs, or lift, will take you up to the bar area, aptly named 'The Terrace'. The bar itself sits within a room through which large open doorways grant you access. The 'outside area' is furnished with artificial grass, deckchairs and picnic tables, creating a fun, summery vibe. This is further insinuated with the addition of plants and bright florescent lighting. We sat and enjoyed a couple of pints in this 'outdoorsy' space, taking note of the relative peacefulness of the area.

The 'inside' area of the Union Bar features one of my favourite parts of the old union: pool tables. The addition of this staple pub game creates a fun and exciting atmosphere, encouraging you to chat with new people and make friends. Its close proximity to the bar itself is also an added bonus! There are also tables and seats in this area, offering more space to sit and enjoy a drink with your friends, if that's what you enjoy. As if that isn't enough, the new union bar is also home darts, "Bluetooth headphone powered movie nights, live football and a programme of entertainment" (stathunion, 2021).

However, the Strath Union is only open to people who hold a Strathclyde student card, meaning it is restricted to people not enrolled at the university. If you are a student at Strath, and have not yet been to the new union, I highly recommend that you check it out as soon as possible. As they themselves  have said: "There really is something for everyone at the Terrace"!

References:

StrathUnion, 2021. The Terrace. [online] Strathunion.com. Available at: <https://www.strathunion.com/venues/terrace/> [Accessed 16 November 2021].