The removal of Edinburgh University's controversial student bar in the middle of Bristo Square has begun, according to locals.
The two-storey 'Student Village' venue was assembled in the city centre last year to provide students with extra hospitality space, after "capacity in buildings was greatly reduced as part of coronavirus safety measures."
Student Villages were provided at King’s Buildings, Pollock Halls student accommodation and a courtyard near George Square - the University had said at the time that they were also considering additional venues to ensure all students could benefit from the new initiative.
Professor Colm Harmon, Vice-Principal Students at the University of Edinburgh, said: “This has been an incredibly challenging year for students and we want to give those arriving with us this semester the best experience possible, while also ensuring their safety and the safety of the wider Edinburgh community.
"I am thrilled that we are able to offer our students these welcoming, covered areas to enjoy when they are on campus this year. As numbers within our buildings are greatly reduced, we felt that it was important to provide them with space in which they can safely relax and chat with friends in between classes.”
However, many Edinburgh locals were far from impressed by the huge building which was assembled in September 2020, just weeks before a further lockdown rendered the building unusable.
One student writing on a Facebook post about the dismantlement said: "I'm a student at Edinburgh uni, and I genuinely have no idea what this was even for?? I've never been inside and didn't even know *how* to get inside or access it."
Another local wrote: "Couldn’t have built something uglier in front of the unis nicest buildings if I tried."
