Stromness student accommodation building ready for business

The former CESS premises in Stromness has been converted into student accommodation and is now open and ready for business.

Orkney Islands Property Developments Ltd, who purchased the building, are now advertising for students.

Initial concerns were that the plans may be in direct competition to other businesses in the town — brought about through the application for planning permission for a change of use and building warrants, with regulations meaning they had to use the terminology “hostel”.

However, OIPDL housing manager, Joan Mackie, has assured that the premises is intended solely for use as student accommodation and was demand led.

She explained that it is not a hostel, but a house with multiple occupation — student accommodation — and will not be used for anything else.