Student Central battles football club and London hotspots for national award
The University of Bradford’s student social area, which underwent a £2 million makeover, has been shortlisted for a national award alongside a Championship football club and leisure venues.
Bradford’s Student Central is a finalist in the Fit Out Project of the Year – Hospitality category at the Fit Out Awards UK 2025, a celebration of fit-out projects and recognises the teams behind them, held at the Park Plaza London Riverbank, on Thursday 11 September.
The University’s revamped area now features modern study zones, fully functioning bars serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and a games area.
A closer look at the student area which re-opened in September 2024. Images credit: Kiran Metha@KM Images Ltd
Allison Thickett, Hospitality and Retail Manager at the University of Bradford, said: “This project was all about creating a vibrant, welcoming environment where students can relax, socialise and feel at home.
“Being shortlisted is a real honour and reflects the passion, creativity and hard work of everyone involved. It also puts the University of Bradford on the map alongside some major players, showing that we can deliver outstanding, sector-leading spaces that rival the very best.”
The University of Bradford’s student social area was given a £2 million makeover. Images credit: Kiran Metha@KM Images Ltd
Who Bradford is up against
Student Central is shortlisted alongside Sky Bet Championship football club Birmingham City; ARC Cinema in Preston; Grand Assembly, a pub in Buckinghamshire; Taxi House, a retail space in London and CoNa London, a coffee shop and nail salon in London, for the award.
Bradford’s shortlisting recognises the work of Stephen George+Partners, Sycamore Square Group & Construction Dynamics (North) on the Student Central refurbishment project.
More on Student Central
The refurbished student space, which officially opened in September 2024, includes games area, food offering, breakout rooms and garden hide-away.
The main area of the student social space is now ‘dry’, serving a range of bubble-teas, milkshakes, smoothies and other assorted soft drinks.
Level 02 of Student Central includes a food and drinks offering, an updated bar complete with a huge TV screen for watching sports, a dance floor, games area featuring pool tables, shuffleboard and interactive darts.
Bar team leader Leo Cameron pulling a pint at Level 02 of Student Central. Images credit: Kiran Metha@KM Images Ltd
The BelowOne bar now serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, while Brew & Co Kitchen offers hot drinks, smoothies and bubble tea.
Tom Walling, Systems & Compliance Manager at the University of Bradford, said: “Since reopening, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, it’s become a real focal point on campus, offering everything from relaxed social spaces to dynamic study zones.”
The University was given Best Bar None (BBN) Accreditation for 2025/26, a national accreditation scheme that assesses safety, inclusivity and student engagement.
The BBN scheme, backed by the National Union of Students (NUS), recognises venues that go above and beyond in promoting public safety, staff training and community wellbeing.
The transformation of Student Central is an example of the University’s strategy in action, especially its ‘Students First’ priority. It is about creating a campus where students genuinely feel welcome, supported and part of something vibrant. By investing in social and study zones which reflect what students want, whether its bubble tea, games or a quiet corner to revise, the University is showing it is serious about putting students at the heart of everything.