Universities remain 'committed' to campus bar Coopers

Kent and Greenwich universities have both confirmed they are “committed” to keeping the Medway campus bar Coopers open.

Mystery behind Medway campus stones revealed

Some have likened the structure to Stonehenge, while others have called it an eyesore. But the Medwire can exclusively reveal the facts behind the mysterious new stone structure outside the Gillingham building.

Defunk'd change band name following Keynestock win

Keynestock winners Defunk’d have dropped their band name for a surprise alternative.

Students see rent at Liberty Quays rise by 27%

Medway students have seen accommodation costs rise by a staggering 27% between 2009 and 2012, a new report by Kent Union has revealed.

Twin popstars Jedward to perform in Medway

If you found their performances on The X Factor and Eurovision annoying, then you might want to avoid Chatham this September because Jedward are coming.

The Irish-duo, who rose to fame on ITV’s The X Factor in 2009, are playing at the Central Theatre in Chatham on Friday, September 27.

More than 100 tickets were snapped up by Jed-mad fans in just a few hours when they went on sale yesterday (May 9), with tickets being sold to fans from the Netherlands, Bosnia and Australia.

Taking to Twitter, fans could barely contain themselves at the news.

@xStephGrimes13x said: “I still can’t believe I’m seeing @planetjedward in September, anyone else going to Chatham if so I’ll see you there <3.”

And @itsJasmineHey said: “JEDWARD ARE COMING TO CHATHAM OMG LIFE IS COMPLETE.”

The songsters, who also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and have released nine singles and three albums, were voted Yahoo! OMG UK’s Best Boy Band in 2012.

The concert starts at 7.30pm at the Central Theatre, Chatham on Friday, September 27. Tickets start from £23, available at Medway Tickets Live.

(Story written by Kieran Watkins for The Medwire)

Volunteers needed for Medway Samaritans bucket collection

Medway Samaritans are holding a bucket collection next week and are looking for volunteers.

The two-day bucket collection, at Tesco Extra on Bowater Roundabout, Gillingham needs volunteers to help out for a couple of hours between 10am and 6pm.

The collection will be raising money for the Samaritans, a charity which has offered emotional support to people in the UK since 1952.

Each year the charity deals with over 2.5million contacts from people who may be distressed or despaired.

The Medway branch of Samaritans is run entirely by volunteers, who help run a 24 hour support service.

David Coldwell, Volunteering and Skills Development Coordinator for the University of Kent said: “The impact that Samaritans has on people they support is immense and this opportunity helps raise valuable funds and its presence will help raise awareness.”

“Any hours that you can do can be added to your volunteering hours for this year.”

The collections are taking place on Wednesday, April 24 and Thursday 25th. If you have a couple of hours spare and fancy helping raise money for a good raise, contact D.Coldwell@kent.ac.uk for more details.

(Article written by Kieran Watkins for The Medwire)

Details for forthcoming Medway Summer Party announced

The Medway Campus Summer Party will return to Coopers this year with a promise that it will be “bigger and better”, The Medwire can exclusively reveal.

Last year’s event was held at Coopers and featured live music, food and plenty of sunshine.

It was also widely heralded asa success by students from all three universities on the Medway Campus.

Looking to succeed on last year’s event, Coopers manager Gareth Gay, music student and Kent Union Vice President (Activities) candidate Jack McDonnell and Activities Officer Clarissa Place will be organising the festivities.

Talking about the plans for this year’s party, Clarissa Place said: “We are hoping to make the event bigger and better than the previous year, hopefully with more societies able to take part.

“The event is for students from all the universities on campus to celebrate the end of term and hopefully they’ll come down whatever the weather.”

The summer party is expected to take place on Saturday, May 18 and will include 12 hours of live bands and DJs throughout the day.

The theme is set to be “Exam Buster”to celebrate the end of exams.New additions to the party this year will include a planned marquee allowing for bands to play outside, as well as various showcases and displays from the campus’societies.

The popular Coopers BBQ and cocktail bar will also return, with a range of drinks deals to be revealed closer to the event.

Coopers will also be hoping to provide a range of summer themed refreshments, including ice cream.

A motion to charge students to go to the event has, however been scrapped, The Medwire understands.

A consultation meeting for the Summer Party is scheduled to take place later this month, with more details to be released in the coming weeks.

Article written by Kieran Watkins for The Medwire

Kent Union Election coverage 2013

I was thrilled to attend the hustings at both the Medway and Canterbury campuses for this year's Kent Union elections on behalf of The Medwire, Medway's student news group. The election saw more than 30 students stand for five sabbatical roles. My coverage for The Medwire involved profiling all the candidates, giving details about their manifesto pledges and telling students a little bit more about their candidates.

For the full coverage, visit The Medwire's Election page here.

Info on how to vote in the elections.

Info on President candidates 2013.

Info on VP Activities candidates 2013.

Info on VP Welfare candidates 2013.

Info on VP Education candidates 2013.

Info on VP Sports candidates 2013.

The new sabbatical officers for Kent Union 2013 are Chelsea Moore (President), Amy Gilchrist (Activities), Megan Wells (Welfare), Alex Murray (Education) and Chris Bull (Sports). I was thrilled to attend and cover the event on behalf of The Medwire.

Just under 100 students voted from the Medway campus.

I'm looking forward to reporting (or maybe even standing, who knows) next year!

Plans unveiled for Paramount Studios London

“Britain’s largest post-Olympic regeneration opportunity” was promised by the project leader behind London Paramount, students at the University of Kent were told recently.

Speaking at a talk arranged by the Kent Business School, Tony Sefton, the project leader behind plans to build a £2bn theme park and entertainment resort in Kent, unveiled details ahead of a public consultation in June this year.

The project by London Resort Company Holdings, which if granted planning permission would open in 2018, includes a number of plans to develop “a new world-class entertainment destination.”

Unveiling the “Master Plan” for the park, which was code-named Project C to avoid leaks, Mr Sefton told students that the park would merge hotels, rides, event space and restaurants together to “utilise facilities” in order to create “the largest entertainment complex in the world.”

London Paramount will be situated on the Swanscombe Peninsular, and will consist of an entertainment district at the centre of the park, with rides, attractions and a water park spread around the entertainment plaza.

The theme park will be based on themes from different films, including romance & drama, comedy, family and action & adventure.

Speaking about the theme park, Mr Sefton said: “The park will have more rides and shows per hour than any other studio park in the world.”

“There will be five first class rollercoaster’s,” he added.

Films from Paramount Pictures that will feature as attractions include Mission Impossible, Tomb Raider, Titanic and Star Trek.

The theme park brand and theme has yet to be unveiled, however it is likely the park will feature heavily on British themes. Mr Sefton confirmed that the British Film Institute would be working with the project, with other partners to be announced in the future.

The main entertainment plaza of the park, which will be accessible to guests for just £5, will feature an array of attractions. This includes nine world-class experiences, a spectacular evening show, plaza shows every half hour, a daily carnival and two amazing play areas.

Other areas of the park planned include a Techno Expo, which Mr Sefton called “our version of Epcot”, which “will consist of 10,000 sq m of high tech attractions based around the best technology in the world.”

A 1,500 bed hotel, 150 food outlets and 10,000sq m of retail space will cater for more than 26,000 guests on peak days, with 7,000 staff on hand to manage facilities.

Guests will also benefit from “75% of the operating area being undercover” to cope with the British weather, as well as a revolutionary new queuing system which will ensure guests are not wasting their time in queues for their favourite rides.

Mr Sefton went on to confirm that the park would open all year round. “Business won’t be seasonal, there will be full time jobs”, he confirmed.

With “infrastructure key” to the project, Mr Sefton confirmed that lobbying was underway to extend Crossrail to the site to improve transport links into the city.

The park will be accessible by the current HS1 line, with trains taking just 17 minutes to travel into central London from Ebbsfleet International Station.

The station will also allow for visitors from further afield in Europe to travel to the park, which will open slightly later then most parks to avoid congestion on roads like the M25.

“Every customer is an entertainment customer”, Mr Sefton said as he stressed the importance of local communities and families to the project. The park has the backing of local MPs and councillors in Kent.

Talking specifically to students from the University of Kent, Mr Sefton said: “There are serious job prospects here for students, with hundreds of jobs available in many departments.”

Public consultation on London Paramount will begin in June. Although the scheme has not officially been given the go-ahead, Mr Sefton said he was “quite confident that it will go ahead.”

If planning is approved, the 872 acre park will start construction in 2015.

-

Tony Sefton, the project leader behind the plans, also unveiled that the project had come together as a result of a night-out in South Korea. When asked by one of the Kent Business Students how the project had been brought about, Mr Sefton said: “The ideas came together at a karaoke bar in South Korea four years ago”.

(Written by Kieran Watkins for The Medwire)

Writers wanted for Medway Law Journal

One of Medway’s newest societies is appealing for writers to provide legal news, academic work, analysis and court reports for their website.

The Medway Law Journal, which was the idea of third year journalist student Jemma Rogers, is an online academic journal similar to the National Law Journal and hopes to rival Cambridge and Harvard.

Already live and just a click away, Jemma has had help from other students including Harriet Lythgo- Smith and Anthony Toma in setting up the website, and is now hoping that other students will get involved and start to write and post content.

Talking about what the journal will offer to students, Jemma said: “It is primarily for people who are interested in really beefing up their CV, as writing for a law journal is highly recognised by employers in any sphere.”

Although the journal has not yet applied to UMSA to become a society, it is hoped to be approved in the near future.

You can find out more by visiting  the group’s Facebook page, or visiting their website. Anyone interested in writing for the journal should email jzr2@kent.ac.uk

(Written by Kieran Watkins for The Medwire)

Medway students to meet man behind new theme park plans

Students on the Medway Campus will get to meet the man behind Kent’s answer to Disneyland in March.

Project leader Tony Sefton will be talking about the £2 billion project which could create up to 27,000 jobs in the local area.

Under plans unveiled last October, London Resort Company Holdings wish to build a “Disneyland rival” on the Swanscombe Peninsular, near Dartford in Kent.

The company were successfully granted a license from Paramount Pictures to use their name for the entertainment resort, which would include Europe’s largest indoor water park, live music venues and hotels.

The park, which if built would be the fourth biggest resort in the world, would be right next to Ebbsfleet Station, which is on the London St Pancras line from Gillingham.

Mr Sefton will be talking about the impact the park will have in the local community, as well as the difficulty in developing and planning a resort.

Kent Business School, who have organised the event, said on their Facebook page: “This event would also be a great chance to network with the project leader regarding the 27,000 jobs this development is estimated to create, to help get your foot in the door early.”

The talk by Tony Sefton is from 4pm to 5.30pm on Monday, March 4 2013 at Kent Business School on the Medway Campus (Room M3-04), and is open to all students. To attend, email kbsm@kent.ac.uk or attend through the Facebook event.

(Written by Kieran Watkins for the Medwire)

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls comes to Medway

With our High Street’s disappearing and businesses going bust, business is far from usual in Kent, so can shadow chancellor Ed Balls save local retailers?  Kieran Watkins joins him on a tour of businesses in Kent

“Times are really hard for every retailer at the moment” was the warning from shadow chancellor Ed Balls yesterday, after visiting local businesses in Kent.

Meeting owners in The Vintage Dove ‘shabby chic’ store in Elm Court, Capstone Road, Gillingham, the Labour MP for Morley and Outwood stressed the importance of small, micro businesses in the current economic climate.

Mr Balls said: “The image of small businesses is not important enough. We need a different way of doing things to make things work for small businesses.”

Figures released by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) show that in 2012, small businesses accounted for 47% of private sector employment, and 34.4% of turnover.

But despite the promising figures, small business owners still feel under pressure, with no one to turn too.

“You feel like you’re on your own, you don’t have the support of the banks,” said Stephen Clarke, 44, owner of The Vintage Dove.

Mr Clarke set up his vintage gift and furniture business from his home, with help from business partner Stephanie Nicolson, 35.

The business started as an internet retailer, and has since expanded, moving into its first business premises on December 1, 2012.

But despite their success, the couple said: “Small businesses are the backbone of the country, yet we need support and help from local government and the banks to survive.”

By his own admission, the shadow chancellor agreed that banks were not doing enough to help small businesses.

“Twenty years ago people thought about going to the bank for help an support on lending.”

“But times have changed, we [businesses] would not go to them now,” Mr Balls admitted.

Labour councilor Tristan Osborne, of the Luton and Wayfield ward, attacked Medway council for not assisting local businesses more.

“Micro businesses are an example of a business which has built up from nothing. But these businesses need more support.

“Medway needs to improve; local councilors do have a responsibility to help.”

Listening to the concerns of Vintage Dove and others, Mr Balls suggested that farmers markets and community projects would lead to more customers heading to the High Street.

“Farmers markets and community projects are not just a shopping experience,” he said in front of business leaders from companies including Produced in Kent.

“Making families comfortable and putting them at ease is the way to building a service and gaining customer loyalty.”

The shadow chancellor praised the work of Produced in Kent, jokily saying that “produced in Surrey or produced in Hertfordshire isn’t quite the same as produced in Kent.”

“Produced in Kent is a big opportunity, it says a big thing about the quality of goods.”

Produced in Kent was formed in 2005, and was formerly known as the Kentish Fare. A not-for-profit organisation, the project is run by Hadlow School and Kent County Council, and aims to “champion and support the growth, development and future of the food and drink sector in Kent.”

 In an unprecedented move, Ed Balls praised the work of Conservative-controlled Kent County Council, stating that KCC have “always been innovative” when it comes to business.

“They have always believed in business and believed in public service.”

Other points raised by business owners included the growing problem with trying to employ members of staff.

One business owner said it was a “minefield to employ”, as businesses struggle to understand the complicated rules and guidelines surrounding wages, taxes and legislation.

Other ideas raised to promote local businesses included internet advertising, with businesses calling for the government to launch specialist websites dedicated to promoting local shops.

Mr Clarke said: “It would be great if the government had a website supporting and advertising local businesses.”

Mr Balls backed the idea, stating that social networking and online advertising was “just as important” as setting up shop on the High Street.

“The internet has led to shops moving off the High Street.

“Being based on the High Street is not as important anymore.”

With the meeting coming to and end, Labour’s Vince Maple, Chatham Central councillor, praised the meeting for “making the voices of small businesses in Kent heard”.

“It is clear that we want to see the economy growing, and micro businesses will make the economy grow.”

By Kieran Watkins

Pictures taken by Kieran Watkins

Medway braces itself for ice and snow

Gritting lorries and snowploughs are at the ready as Medway braces itself for snow and ice.

With temperatures falling into the minuses and snow falling across other parts of the country, Medway Council have reassured residents that they are fully prepared for an outbreak of snow.

More than 5,000 tonnes of salt has been stockpiled for the Medway area, with 388 salt bins fully stocked on streets and roads.

Eight gritting lorries will be safeguarding the major roads across Medway following news from the Met Office that “heavy snow showers” could hit the South East this weekend.

Councillor Phil Filmer, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services, said: “The forecasts for snow over the weekend may be uncertain, but there is the potential for wintry showers over the weekend and into next week.

“Medway Council are fully prepared and our teams will be working hard to salt all primary and secondary routes across the area and minimise any potential disruption to residents,” he added.

University students have been advised to check the universities snow procedure in the outbreak of snow.

With many students returning to university this Monday (January 14), both the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University have stressed that caretakers will clear pathways and grit paths in order to keep the university open.

The University of Kent said that “in adverse weather conditions, the university will not normally close”, whilst Canterbury Christ Church said that they “will strive to keep the primary on site pathways and roads clear of snow / ice in inclement weather.”

Students and residents are advised to check before going to work or university.

For Medway Council news on Snow and Ice, visit: www.medway.gov.uk
For the University of Kent, visit:http://www.kent.ac.uk/campusonline/campusnews.html?id=snow-and-ice-procedure.txt
For Canterbury Christ Church visit: http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/support/facilities-services/estates-infrastructure/winter-gritting.asp

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Medway universities make National Kissing League

(written by Kieran Watkins, taken from The Medwire)

The first University Kissing League results have been released, with all three universities from the Medway campus making the league.

The University of Kent appeared above the University of Greenwich and Canterbury Christchurch University, placing 31st on the league.

The league gives an average for the number of people students are likely to have kissed in the last term.

According to the survey, conducted by studentbeans.com, each student from the University of Kent locked lips with an average of 3.03 people since September 2012.

The University of Greenwich placed 66 with an average of 2.1, with Canterbury Christ Church significantly lower with an average of just 1.37, placing 84th on the list.

Topping the league, which surveyed 4,039 students from 89 universities, was Northumbria University, where each student has kissed an average of 6.13 people. To read the results, follow visit Student Beans

New train station planned for Rochester

A new station for residents in Rochester could help improve train services.

Network Rail plans to move the current station to a new site to allow more passengers to use the station, and allow for a more reliable, quicker service.

The current station, just off Rochester High Street, has few car parking spaces and platforms that can only accommodate 10-carriage trains.

With regeneration on Rochester Riverside already underway, passenger numbers are expected to rise by 30% over the next few years, meaning the current station will be inadequate to support the growing population.

Addressing these figures, Network Rail have proposed to move the current station to Corporation Road Car Park as part of a £25million investment in rail infrastructure.

With more car parking spaces and longer platforms accommodating for 12-carriage and more passengers, it is hoped the plan will prove a hit with the local council and local people.

Councillor Rodney Chambers, Medway Council Leader and Regeneration Lead, said: “If this proposal gets the go ahead it will lead to a new, better train station for Rochester

“It will result in a quicker, more reliable service with more space for passengers,” he added.

The station would be closer to the main town centre then the current station, with a new subway planned to link the station to the shopping parade. Train users would also benefit from being closer to the main bus routes running through the town.

If approved, the station would take up 1/3 of the land on Corporation Road, and would be scheduled to open in 2015.

It is believed Network Rail will submit a planning application for the proposals later this year.

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

Medway Book Club launches for students

Written by Kieran Watkins for The Medwire:

A new book club for students and staff is being launched on the Medway Campus.

The Medway Book Club at the Drill Hall Library will be open for all students and staff who have a passion for reading.

Aimed to “encourage reading for pleasure”, the group will hold informal discussions on favorite reads on the last Thursday of every month.

Titles planned to be read at the book club, which have been recommended by library staff, include Jennet Winterson’s ‘Why be happy when you could be normal?’ and John Grisham’s ‘A Time to Kill’.

The club is open to students from across the three universities at the Medway Campus. Members can come to every session, or to as many as they like.

Members are also encouraged to bring their lunch with them. The first meeting starts at 12:10pm on Thursday, November 29 in room DB034 at the Drill Hall Library.

For more details, email Louise Frith at ljf@kent.ac.uk

Club schedule:
Thursday, November 29 – Jennet Winterson ‘Why be happy when you could be normal?’
Thursday, December 13 – Levitt & Dubner ‘Freakonomics’
Thursday, January 31 – John Grisham ‘A Time to Kill’
Thursday, February 18 – Sarah Waters ‘Fingersmith’
Thursday, March 28 – Mitch Albom ‘The five people you meet in Heaven’
Thursday, May 9 – Margret Attwood ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Fresh allegations of bogus fines made against Liberty Quays

Further allegations of false charges have been brought to the student halls from a current resisdent (written by Kieran Watkins, for the Medwire)

A Liberty Quays resident today told how he was threatened with additional fines for unpaid rent, despite having previously agreed to delay the payments.
In an exclusive interview with the Medwire, student Alex Zarach, 18, told us Liberty Living had sent him “threatening” letters.
The halls provider at Liberty Quays in Gillingham sent him letters claiming for unpaid rent – despite having previously agreed to delaying payments to coincide with his student loan payment.
Alex, a first-year business IT student, moved into Liberty Quays during September, having agreed with former manager Stephanie Triggs and current Duty Manager Alison Lidster that he would pay his instalments later than scheduled.
In a letter sent from Ms Lidster to Alex, which The Medwire has obtained, both parties agreed and signed in writing that the rent would be delayed until Alex’s student loan came in on September 24, 2012.
The letter from Ms Lidster states “we hereby agree to you paying said rent instalments”, following evidence provided by Alex to Liberty Quays from the student loan company.
Believing the payments had been processed, Alex said: “I moved in to Liberty Quays and all was fine.”
“Nothing was mentioned of the payment,” he added.
However, arriving back from lectures to his room one day, Alex noticed a letter that had been pushed through his door.
The letter was sent by General Manager Mark Moulding, dated September 28, four days after Alex paid his first instalment.
The letter claimed that the “rent instalment due on 15th September 2012 in the sum of £1981.20 is now overdue,” despite having already previously agreed with Liberty that the rent would be paid a week later.
The letter also confirmed that Liberty Living would charge him £30.00 for sending the letter, which would cover their administration fees.
“I was shocked! I had never been informed about the £30 charge, and was angry and upset that they had decided to charge me despite the fact I had paid everything on time.”
Despite demands from Liberty Quays for more money to pay for more letters, Alex is standing by his refusal to pay up.
“These letters were sent for no reason at all”, he explained. “I had already paid the fees, it was a mistake on their part to send me a letter telling me I was overdue on the rent.”
Alex has also mentioned that his family lawyer branded the claims as “harassment”, and would be looking into the case.
Having spoken to a receptionist at Liberty Quays himself, who he described as “rude” and “disinterested”, Alex said they confirmed that his rent payment had indeed been processed, but that they would still be charging for him for the letters.
Liberty Living declined to comment on the issues raised.

Liberty Living bosses intervened in departure of halls boss

Former Liberty Quays manager Stephanie Triggs left after a series of failings at the student halls, it has emerged today.
In an exclusive story for the Medwire, a source at the university confirmed that management from Liberty Living, which owns the University of Kent halls in Gillingham, “could not risk” having Ms Triggs as a manager during the Welcome Weekend.
As new students settle in to the halls this week, we revealed last week that Liberty Quays was without a manager following Ms Triggs’ departure from site after just six months in the position, the second manager to leave in just a year.
The source confirmed that management had been to see Ms Triggs just weeks before the start of term, after a series of failings and mistakes made by the former manager.
“They couldn’t risk having her as a manager during welcome weekend,” the source, who does not wish to be named, confirmed.
The source went on to confirm that Ms Triggs had sent emails to various Liberty Living representatives, staff and even students, asking for advice and help.
This comes after a campaign by over 150 disgruntled students, parents and members of the public criticised the halls, complaining about the checking-out procedure, steep fines and rude, unfriendly staff.
The source said: “She used to ask people what to do in silly situations.”
“They needed a manager who could make decisions on their own”, the source added. “Not someone who kept hassling other people for help.”
“Liberty Living have officially said it was a joint decision she left,” the source said.
In exclusive emails obtained by the Medwire, Ms Triggs had asked one student to provide an appraisal for the company as a gesture of goodwill.
In an email sent to student trustee Maya Esslemont, who had previously launched a successful petition against Liberty Quays following bogus fines sent to students regarding fire extinguishers, Ms Triggs asked Maya to give her “an honest appraisal of the general check out experience at Liberty.”
Ms Triggs went on to reveal that the appraisal was needed after several students and parents had complained about the service provided by Liberty Quays.
“We have had a few unpleasant accusations”, Ms Triggs said in the email.
“I really would like to see if you have a perspective that would help me put things into context”, she added.
Commenting on the request, Maya said: “I couldn’t help but wonder if my involvement in the last Liberty Quays controversy crossed her mind when my heavily stained room was given the seal of approval.”
“Even if my intentions weren’t cynical, I could never support a company that continually rips off students, through high rent and scams in equal measure”, she added.
Liberty Living were unavailable for comment. Written by Kieran Watkins for the Medwire

Just six months in to the job, Liberty Quays manager departs

 

Stefanie Triggs, manager of the Medway halls, is "no longer with the company" after a tumultuous term (written by Kieran Watkins for the Medwire)

Liberty Quays is on the lookout for a new manager, after losing yet another manager in the space of six months.
In an exclusive for the Medwire, a representative from Liberty Quays, run by Liberty Living, confirmed that Stephanie Triggs has now left the company after just six months as general manager of the halls in Gillingham.
Speaking to reporter Kieran Watkins this evening, receptionist Laura Forrest confirmed that Stephanie Triggs was no longer manager of Liberty Quays.
“She is no longer with the company”, Laura confirmed.
She went on to admit that there was no replacement as of yet, despite 600 University of Kent students moving in this weekend for the start of term, which commences on Monday, September 24.
The departure of Ms Triggs is the second manager to leave Liberty Quays in just a year. In February, former manager Doug Jarvis left Liberty after a series of allegations were made by students following bogus fines sent from management to students.
The fines, sent to a number of students at Liberty Quays, stated that fire extinguishers had been tampered with by students. Extinguishers were then taken from kitchens by management, with students facing charges of £60.00 to replace them.
However, following complaints and a successful petition created by Student Trustee Maya Esslemont, the fines were dropped. All extinguishers, which turned out to be un-tampered, were then placed back into kitchens.
Talking about the incident in July, Ms Triggs said Liberty Quays were “deeply sorry” for the incident, and that it put a “stain on our otherwise fantastic reputation.”
Although Liberty Quays declined to comment on the reason for Ms Triggs departure, the exit comes after 150 signatures were signed by disgruntled students, parents and members of the public, all angry with conditions and service provided by Liberty.
Extortionate check-out charges, mice infestations and rude, negligent staff were all mentioned in the comments, which can be seen on the online petiton.

Halls provider Liberty Quays fails to sell out

 

The University of Kent's privately owned accommodation halls in Medways is left with several vacancies (written by Kieran Watkins for the Medwire)

Student halls provider Liberty Living, which runs the University of Kent halls on the Medway campus, has announced a drop in student applications for rooms this year.
In an email sent by the University of Kent accommodation team to current students, Liberty Quays stated that “a number of rooms were still available”.
Liberty Quays, situated at Victory Pier in Gillingham, offers en-suite rooms for new and current students, with communal areas shared by up to nine people.
The drop in room occupancy comes after a series of revelations by The Medwire revealed staff negligence and questionable living conditions at Liberty Quays.
In a previous article, it was revealed that several communal areas had been infested with mice, with faeces being found in other areas.
The revelations came after a petition by former Liberty resident, Jem Collins, saw over 150 disgruntled students, parents and members of the public complain about the service and facilities on offer by Liberty Quays.
Complaints ranged from expensive maintenance costs to delays in deposits being handed back to students. A number of comments were also made about the management team at Liberty, with students branding staff “rude” and “unhelpful” on numerous occasions.
Students have also claimed the room prices have led them to seek accommodation away from the halls. Prices have increased by an extra £10 a week from last year to £127.
One student said that he could “barely afford to live” on the prices, which total just under £5,000 for one year.
“If I paid £5,000 to live at Liberty, I’d starve!” he said. “It’s ridiculously expensive, Liberty Quays is more expensive then London student accommodation.”
In a move to entice students, Liberty Quays has offered a 2% discount on accommodation prices if fees are paid in full by September 15.
Students who choose not to live in halls usually opt for a private landlord, where a fully-furnished bedroom in a house shared with four other people can start from as little as £90, bills included.
However, the down turn in student numbers could come at a cost for Liberty Living, who are currently extending their halls at Victory Pier. The new extension is scheduled to open next summer.