Students told to vacate block over safety issues

Students have been told to vacate a city centre housing block over safety concerns with the building.

Residents of Magnet Court, a Grade II listed building in Newcastle's Gallowgate, were moved out at the "earliest opportunity as a precaution" over an issue with a wall, Unite Group told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The housing provider said it did not expect the art deco site, which was built in the 1930s, to reopen to students for the start of the 2026/27 academic year.

It also said it had supported residents by moving them into alternative accommodation or by offering refunds if they decided to cancel their contract.

An inspection found an "issue with a wall in one of the ground floor commercial units" which an independent engineer confirmed required attention and advised it to "be addressed at the end of this academic year".

"However, as a precaution and because the safety and wellbeing of our residents is our highest priority, we took the decision to vacate the building at the earliest opportunity," the group said.

A spokesperson said the required work could not be carried out safely while students were living in the building, which houses 112 students.

One source told the LDRS that students were informed of the problem on 10 March and told they had to be out of the building by 17 March.

"We recognise this has been disruptive and are sorry for the impact on residents," the spokesperson for the Unite Group said.

"We do not expect the building to reopen to students for the start of the 2026/27 academic year and anyone who has already booked with us for next year has been offered alternative accommodation."

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