Hi Tasneem,

Unfortunately, we have been unsuccessful in establishing a deal with Machine Mart. I would encourage you to investigate any UniDays deals and discounts on these items. 

I am going to close this submission now. If you have any further questions please make another submission or contact me directly at president@soton.ac.uk

All the best,

Oliver Murray

Union President 2022-2023

Hi Tasneem,

Our Business Development Manager will be visiting Machine Mart this week. I'll let you know how this goes!

All the best,

Oliver Murray

Union President 2022-2023

Hi Tasneem,

Just to provide you with an update, our Business Development Manager has reached out to Machine Mart. Unfortunately, they have not heard back and are presently sending further correspondence. If they do not hear back shortly they will visit the store to work out a deal for students. 

All the best,

Oliver Murray

Union President 2022-2023

Hi Tasneem,

While I do still think this is an excellent idea, student safety is of the utmost importance. This relevant in two instances. First, we don't have the space to safely store this equipment if we were to rent it out, hence me seeking to give this project to the University. Second, even if we were to rent this out from an external company, we would be responsible for meeting health and safety regulations. To accomplish this we would likely have to provide training on how to use equipment and presently in our current workload position this would not be possible. Nonetheless, I will continue to investigate securing the best possible deal for students with local suppliers. 

All the best,

Oliver Murray

Union President 2022-2023

Hi Tasneem,

Sandro has gotten back to me and unfortunately the University isn't able to take this on primarily due to health and safety issues in addition to the Estates Team already being low on equipment. As an alternative, I am working with our Business Development Manager to develop a partnership with Machine Mart in Portswood so that we can get far cheaper deals for students. I will provide an update on this once available!

All the best,

Oliver Murray

Union President 2022-2023

Hi Tasneem,

I have received word back from Sandro and he think that this is an excellent idea. His team are currently working out logistics but are keen to get this implemented ASAP. 

All the best,

Oliver Murray

Union President 2022-2023

Hi Tasneem,

Thank you for this submission! In the face of the cost-of-living crisis this is something that would be fantastic to implement to not only save students money, but to save them the hassle of having to rent/buy equipment from an external vendor. Not to mention from a sustainability perspective the benefits of reducing purchases of unnecessary items. 

I have raised this issue with Sandro from the University's Student Experience Team as I believe they are best equipped to help set this up by working with the Estates Team. I will provide updates on this as they come through!

All the best,

Oliver Murray

Union President 2022-2023