UNITE has been named the preferred bidder to build and manage the £44m Portsmouth University portfolio of student accommodation. The company is currently undertaking three schemes: at Connaught Drill Hall, Winston Churchill Avenue and Chaucer House.

641 study bedrooms, student facilities such as laundry room, vending area, reception and IT common room will be provided at Connaught Drill Hall and 348 new student rooms at Chaucer House, which students will be moving into this September. UNITE is also building a brand new 328 bed facility at Winston Churchill Avenue, which is due to receive its first student intake in the autumn 2002. All accommodation has en-suite bathrooms, Internet access and swipe-card door entry systems.

Mike Bateman, pro vice chancellor of Portsmouth University said: "We can confirm that UNITE is the preferred bidder for our programme of residential expansion. We have been impressed by the speed and competency of the UNITE team and in partnership we are providing exciting new facilities to meet the needs of our growing student population."

Nicholas Porter, chief executive of UNITE, commented: "We are delighted to have been awarded sole preferred bidder status with Portsmouth University. The three brand new residences will provide over 1,300 affordable beds for students at the University. They represent a significant proportion of the University's accommodation requirement and reflect the fact that UNITE has become the preferred choice when selecting a partner in this sector. We look forward to working with the University on this project and maintaining and managing the properties over the long term."

www.unite-group.co.uk

Jessica Jarlvi