STAFF and students are excited by the arrival of a new café, courtyard, and outdoor amphitheatre at Exeter College’s Centre for Creative Industries (CCI) this autumn, which is already proving to be their cup of tea.

Starting off a new academic year in style, the glass-housed, ultra-modern eatery known as The Conservatory is now open for business in the Victoria Yard area of Exeter College’s CCI campus, off Queen Street, and is serving as a refreshing change, especially for regular CCI users including those studying Media, Art and Design, and Engineering.

Named The Conservatory because of its glass walls and light and airy feel, it has been painted a cheerful raspberry and white, with a similar colour scheme running through the carpet – all as chosen by students through their Learner Voice representation. It also features gallery space to be used for work by CCI Art and Photography students in the future.

Its glazed front opens out onto the courtyard and amphitheatre, which, like the new café, have been designed and built in response to students’ requests for further areas in which to relax and socialise between classes on this particular area of the campus.

As well as providing new seating areas, where students are already enjoying meeting for lunch, Media and Performing Arts students based in the CCI will be able to use the amphitheatre for occasional performances in addition to the existing performance space available to them indoors at the CCI Theatre.

Head of Estates Steve Strang says: “When designing the new café, we spoke to our Learner Voice group – who ensure students have their say in College decision-making – as well as students and staff based at the CCI, likely to be its core users, and Exeter College Students’ Union. We asked them what kind of building design they would like to see, the appearance of the external space, and how we should make use of it once transformed.”

Delighted with the outcome, Steve continues: “The Conservatory opened on the first day of the new term, and from the outset the feedback from every student I have heard talking about it has been brilliant.”

Among its student supporters is Rosanna Martin, aged 17, of Chumleigh, who is already enjoying her lunch breaks there with friends. Currently in her second year and taking five A levels at Exeter College, she says: “It looks very modern and it gives us a nice area for lunch and relaxing.”

Raphael Royo-Reece, aged 17, of Heavitree – also in his second-year and studying A levels – agrees: “It’s good that we are able to have a say in what happens at the College, and I think this was definitely a good idea. It has given us somewhere else to sit and relax, and I really like it.”

The Conservatory is one of a number of exciting projects planned at the College.

Deputy Principal Rebecca King says: “We’re already working on our next new project in the city which is refurbishing 26 Queen Street, an important building that has been empty for some time.

“We are looking forward to providing a dedicated Music and Performance Academy for our talented students, due to open early 2011. As with The Conservatory, it is important that we listen to the end users – our students and staff – and continue to invest in first class facilities for the region’s talent.”

Bridgwater-based contractors Henry W.Pollard and Sons originally moved on to the then unused piece of land in Victoria Yard to start building on The Conservatory back in April this year and have just added the finishing touches to their work. In total, the venture cost around £750, 000 for building work and fitting out.