Plan to fill spaces at university halls in Shrewsbury
University halls in Shrewsbury could be opened up to students from other colleges and schools until they are full, says to council officials.
Shropshire Council has confirmed that it is considering asking other educational establishments if they want to use space available at Mardol House, Shrewsbury.
The building was refurbished at a cost of £3 million and provides accommodation for up to 86 students attending University Centre Shrewsbury.
Currently there are 22 students living in the halls, but the council says the number is due to increase over the remainder of the year.
Shrewsbury's university welcomed its first undergraduate students last September. Shropshire Council is responsible for providing accommodation for the university.
Steph Jackson, the council's head of commercial services, said they would explore options for using the capacity while available. She explained that one of the reasons for places still being available at the halls is that many students live fairly near within a close distance of Shrewsbury.
She said: "Currently 22 university students are living at Mardol House, following the refurbishment of the building which had been empty for more than a decade.
"This number is due to increase during this year as further cohorts of students are welcomed to the town.
"European delegates of an education conference will be accommodated at the site in April, and Shropshire Council are continuing to explore whether other educational establishments wish to utilise spare accommodation capacity whilst available.
"Future accommodation requirements are being monitored in light of demand, as currently many students live within travel time."
She added: "Mardol House is a long-term investment and its refurbishment means that, rather than having a redundant building in the centre of Shrewsbury, we instead have a building that will generate an increasing income for many years to come, with its residents using local businesses and facilities."
Earlier this year Shropshire Council confirmed it was reviewing plans to begin work on halls for more than 200 university students at the former tannery in Barker Street.
Planning permission was granted in October last year.
