IT MAY not be a recipe for academic success, but seven lucky lads have the best student digs in the country.
The Trinity Street house in Huddersfield is in great condition and in a good location, but the real unique selling point is the fully functional pub in the basement.
Boasting a bar with a pump, optics, a jukebox and a games table, the very des res was the brainchild of owners Colin and Gemma Wilson who spent six months converting a dank cellar into a feature many students could not resist.
Tom Wilson, 19, from Blackpool is studying Music Technology at the university and moved in yesterday.
He said: “The kitchen was nice but the pub was the real ‘wow’.
“My parents heard about it and they had mixed feelings but I think they’ll like it when they come for a visit.
“There are seven of us and six of us are doing music technology so it will be a musical house.
“We couldn’t find a seven bedroom anywhere and in the end I put a comment on a website looking for one and Gemma got in contact.
“I’ve spoken to the others about having a pub downstairs and we’re all very up for making sure it was worth their while.”
Along with wife Gemma, owner Colin has even secured the support of Brewery Timothy Taylor which has supplied one of its most popular beers – Landlord, naturally.
Colin said: “When we bought it we spent literally months clearing the basement and what was left was like something out of a horror film.
“We had a think about what to do with it and thought what would students most like to have?
“I asked if anyone had a bar on Freecycle and this one came from Bradley and Colnebridge Working Men’s Club. They had a second floor function room they were converting and said I could take it.
“I thought I could put in a pump for show but once I started I thought I might as well go the whole hog. After the optics I thought a little jukebox would be nice, but it weighs 24 stone.
“I actually invited Prince Charles to the opening because, along with Madonna and Hugh Grant, Landlord is his favourite pint.
“I got a very nice letter back saying he’d love to but he had another engagement.”
Gemma added: “We’ve got no worries about the place at all.
“People tell horror stories about students running off without paying but we’ve never had that problem. The worst we’ve had is a late payment.”
As the bar is not licensed there is also the unusual feature that you can effectively sit in the pub and smoke.
The 1979 Galaxian computer game table also required the couple to buy a supply of old 10 pences from eBay.
Colin said: “It started off as a simple idea but I think I got a bit carried away.”
