New student space and café open now: Introducing Nook
You might have noticed some construction taking place in the North Building over the past few months. That’s been for a very exciting reason – we’ve been working to bring you a new and improved Students’ Union space!
Nook is unlike any other coffee shop on campus. Run by East London Students’ Union, and staffed by more than 20 students, it’s being run as a social enterprise with an emphasis on affordability. That means choosing Nook for your morning coffee will directly benefit students – any profits made in the coffee shop will be reinvested into our work to improve their university experience.
Nook’s focus will be on ensuring quality food and drink at a student-friendly price, so you can enjoy a warming coffee or delicious lunch without feeling the pinch!
Multifunctional student space
Nook isn’t only about coffee. It’s also a multifunctional student space where we’ll be supporting the arts through events including comedy and live music. We’ll also be showing football, rugby, cricket and other sports on the big screen, courtesy of Sky Sports and TNT Sports. Our entertainment programme will be announced soon, so watch this space. Please note that as a working coffee shop, this is not a bookable space. It is also an alcohol-free zone.
Nook will evolve and improve over time as we get to understand what students want and need from the space. Initially we’ll be open during weekdays, but our opening hours will extend to later evenings and weekends in due course.
Lots of work has gone into making Nook a cool and stylish space to spend time on campus, with a modern industrial East London look and feel, and a hint of NYC loft. Expect exposed brickwork, industrial furniture and plenty of greenery. We can’t wait for you to come and see what Nook is all about – we’ve got a feeling it’s going to become a firm favourite here at Docklands.
Nook has been created as part of a Connected Campus project funded primarily by the University of East London. With thanks to the University and the Connected Campus team for their work and input into this exciting project.
Our menu
Our drinks menu features all the classic coffee drinks you’d expect, plus teas, hot chocolate and more.
Fancy something to eat? From pastries to porridge, we’re serving hot and cold breakfast items. At lunchtime, choose from a delicious range of sandwiches, toasties, panini, soup and salad bowls, plus mac and cheese, samosas and more.
Naturally, there’ll be plenty of freshly baked sweet treats on offer, too.
To keep things affordable, expect lots of money-saving offers including reusable cup discounts, bargain breakfast combos and a classic lunchtime meal deal. We’re also working on delivering a loyalty scheme to help you save even more cash on your coffee.
Sustainability
Nook has been created with sustainability in mind. That means we’ve done plenty of research to ensure our suppliers and products have environmental and ethical credentials we can be proud of.
We don’t claim to be perfect, but over time we’ll be doing what we can to make Nook as eco-friendly as possible!
New reception coming soon
While the work on Nook has been underway, we’ve also been renovating our Docklands reception space to make it a more welcoming space for students to ask questions and get information.
The Students’ Union reception will re-open in February.
Why Nook?
Nook: a secluded or sheltered place; retreat.
Nook got its name because it’s a cosy and laidback campus spot. Offering deliciously affordable barista coffee and tasty lunches, breakfasts and baked goods, this is your retreat from the hustle and bustle of campus life. Whether you choose to grab a bite between classes, get your morning caffeine fix, or join us for an evening event, Nook is your home away from home here at Docklands.
Our sweet cat logo is a nod to our Docklands shipping heritage and the cats that have been common features on trading, exploration and naval ships since ancient times. While those cats caught mice and offered companionship, our feline mascot represents the cosy vibes that make Nook unique.