THE UK’s first major venue dedicated to student volunteering is set to open for business in Oxford today.

National charity Student Hubs launched its new £1m centre, in Turl Street, in what used to be a private members club.

The idea is to allow students a chance to find out about how to get involved in social and environmental issues. It partners with 35 different organisations including schools and NGOs.

The Grade II-listed building features a restaurant and bar, a library, meeting rooms, offices for student charities and a bar made from an old piano left in the building.

Hub community and venue manager Hannah Martin took the Oxford Mail on a tour of their new building.

She said: “This building has been planned for two years. It is fantastic to be finally in and to see this place come alive.

“It has been closed for the past two years and the idea is to make it really welcoming. Hopefully it will be buzzing with people.”

About 60 people will be working in the building in various capacities and with Oxford Hub, which was based in Cowley Road, reaching more than 5,000 students it should become a hive of activity., she said.

Oxford Hub manager Rachel Stephenson said: “It is really exciting to see this building open. Now we have got to make it work.

“It will enable us to do everything we have been doing, just better. It will change things hugely to have a real home.”

Oxford Hub has leased the building, which used to house The Corner Club and QI, from the city council.

It will now be open to students from Oxford University and Oxford Brookes.

The development included transforming the ground floor into a restaurant open to the public called the Turl Street Kitchen which will serve ethical and sustainable produce.

Restaurant manager Patrick Tustian said: “I saw what they were putting together here and I thought it sounded like an amazing opportunity.

“We are not using any major brands, they are all small and local where possible.”

The restaurant on the ground floor will be able to seat around 90 people. Any profit made from the restaurant will be reinvested into the Hub.

Funds for the building came from private donations and a number of financial backers.

Professor Andrew Hamilton, vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford said: “I firmly believe that universities should produce not only world-class academics, but also world-class citizens.

“Student Hubs’ vision for this social enterprise is both innovative and extraordinary and I look forward to seeing it flourish in years to come.”

Student Hubs was founded in Oxford in 2007. It has since become a national charity and operated in Oxford Brookes, Bristol, Southampton, Cambridge, and Warwick. Hubs operate from venues such as student unions.

dfantano@oxfordmail.co.uk