Students 'could keep their flats' after graduation

The firm behind the Jubilee Court site is also seeking permission for key workers to be able to move in

The operator of a student accommodation facility wants its tenants to be able to stay on once they have graduated and got a job.

The firm behind the Jubilee Court site, on Fylde Road in Preston, is also seeking permission for key workers like nurses, teachers and council staff to be able to move in too.

It claims the market for student flats in the city is saturated and says the oversupply of properties has caused its own occupancy rate to fall.

Fylde Road Management Company Limited (FRMC) told Preston City Council that "one third of the current student tenants enquire about staying at the accommodation following graduation".

Sustainable location

It added that the proposed changes to its 246-capacity development – which opened in 2016 – are necessary in order to ensure it remains sustainable.

In an application lodged with town hall planners, the firm says while demand from students – whom it wants to retain as its core customers – has fallen, it is having to turn away others who would like to live in its premises or to continue to be able to do so.

“Jubilee Court’s on-site office receives multiple enquiries each week for accommodation, mainly from young professionals who have recently graduated or are looking for cost-effective housing solutions,” a planning statement explains.

“This [would] provide a platform for graduated students to access the local jobs market or provide a bridge for further education.

"The accommodation is also well suited to young professional key workers who want to work locally and take advantage of the very sustainable location close to the local public transport infrastructure.”

Under the plans, graduates would be able to stay at the site for up to two years after completing their studies.

The accommodation is made up of 44 flats, with clusters of five or six rooms sharing a kitchen and dining area, along with 20 studio bedsits.