This April sees a unique University of Cambridge building celebrate its first birthday.
The West Hub is changing the way the University is perceived. Instead of focusing on history and tradition, we have this exceptionally modern, innovative space for everyone to use.
The West Hub on the University’s West Cambridge site opened on 26 April 2022 and has quickly established itself as its networking heart. It was built for everyone and welcomes University students and staff, as well as local businesses and the wider public. The West Hub, provides recreational and hospitality areas downstairs, including a University canteen and an independently managed café bar; along with multi-use and co-working spaces, learning resource areas and meeting rooms on the upper two levels.
Catering manager Paula White, whose team provides 800 hot lunches daily from the canteen on the ground floor, said, “The West Hub has been such a success because it is so inclusive. It’s a space everyone is welcome to use. It gets everyone together.” The upper floors also includes the Media Lab and the West Hub Library, which at its core is part of the Technology Library team, but in practice offers so much more, providing everything from one-to-one and small group support as well as a diverse teaching programme.
West Hub Library Manager Daniele Campello said, “Teaching programmes are available to everyone and can be extremely useful for upskilling and career development. There are no barriers here. People can walk in and approach us for a friendly chat.”
The dynamic atmosphere at the West Hub has made it equally popular with external organisations including small businesses, clubs and charities who can also make use of its multi-use spaces and meeting rooms.
Events Co-ordinator Louisa Leitao said, “As part of the University’s drive for innovation we work closely with ideaSpace which supports start-up businesses with a variety of services. The West Hub is changing the way the University is perceived. Instead of focusing on history and tradition, we have this exceptionally modern, innovative space for everyone to use.”
Meet the West Hub team and find out the answers to their top five frequently asked questions in this new video filmed in the building’s amazing new Media Lab.
The West Hub will (as usual) have its doors open to all on its birthday this Wednesday 26 April. Except there will also be free cupcakes. What better time to visit? For more information visit the website.