Leading independent college Abbey College Manchester has unveiled its new state of the art student boarding accommodation, further enhancing its sixth form offer and strengthening its presence in the city.

The King Street based college has chosen luxury student accommodation provider Portergate Property Management and its flagship Riverside House residence as its partner for housing its boarding students.

Abbey College sixth formers and their parents can now choose to board in one of the 72 single contemporary en-suite hotel-standard rooms in Riverside House, located on Blackfriars Road, less than a mile from the main college building in Central Manchester.

Representing a significant step change for Abbey College Manchester, the college has teamed up with Portergate Property Management to launch this new facility which will benefit students wishing to board from this September.

The building has 24 hour on-site security, with secure entry door system and CCTV cameras, an on-site maintenance team, well equipped communal social areas and kitchen & laundry facilities. Students will be catered for on a full board arrangement.

Liz Elam, Abbey College Manchester’s Principal explains: “In launching our new highly contemporary, secure boarding facility at Riverside House we are able to expand our student offering, consolidating our position within the city, and reasserting our standing as a major independent educational provider.

“The feedback from our students and their parents has been overwhelming. The ultra-modern, safe secure environment on the doorstep of Manchester’s rich and dynamic culture is seen as a major plus and will enable us to grow our student base, and presence here in the North West in the short to medium term.”

Karen Preece, managing director of Portergate Property Management, said: “Entering into a partnership with the prestigious Abbey College is confirmation we provide some of the best-managed student accommodation in the North West.

“Our philosophy of providing both students and their parents with the comfort of knowing Riverside House is a well-run, secure and happy home to live in is clearly a successful one.

“Our policy of hands on management and a friendly team who are here to help our students is a winning formula and one we are rolling out with new developments across the North West.”

Abbey College is a leading independent college in the heart of Manchester, with a fast-growing and vibrant community.

There are around 230 students at the college, 75% of whom are from the local area with the remainder from other countries. Most students are undertaking A Level programmes with the remainder studying BTEC courses or GCSEs.

For more information on Abbey College visit www.abbeymanchester.co.uk, or call 0161 817 2700.

For more information on Portergate Property Management visit www.portergatepropertymanagement.co.uk