The University carries out regular checks on all of our buildings, including halls of residence, to ensure that they are safe for occupants.

During a recent survey, a number of fire safety issues were raised in Newark Hall. This relates to passive measures that stop the spread of fire through a building.

These were immediately reported to Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, who we are now working with to resolve the issues.

Both the University and the fire service are satisfied that students can safely remain in the halls at present but a programme of essential safety works needs to begin as soon as possible.

This work, which will take place over the next few months, will be noisy and disruptive and so we have taken the decision to move students into alternative accommodation while this is being completed.

We have given students a choice about which alternative accommodation best suits their needs – choices include the Orchard Hotel on campus. There will be no further cost to them and they will receive help with the move, as well as a welcome gift to help them settle in.

The likely timeframe for the move will be within the coming weeks and will be for at least the remainder of the term.

Again the University would like to stress that the halls remain safe for staff and students. As soon as the issues were discovered, mitigation measures were put into place to reduce any risk to the students and staff in the Hall. These measures, which have been approved by the Fire Service, include increasing overnight staffing levels an updating the fire alarm system to immediately evacuate all residents if smoke is detected anywhere in the building.

Students affected can ring the following helpline 0115 846 6200 with any queries or concerns or can contact the accommodation team by email.