From start to finish... Creating inspired, bespoke new concepts and spaces that your students will love.

We offer a range of services tailored to each client’s specific needs. Whether you are repurposing an existing concept, carrying out a minor refurbishment, or a multi-million-pound new build we can provide robust, sound advice, and support you throughout your development to ensure your new spaces are exactly what your students want and need.

To date Nina & Co. has worked on 37+ projects ranging in size and complexity from £100k refurbs to £60m new builds.

For refurbishment and concept development work, we work with a range of contractors who specialise in design, fit out, and build, and specialist kitchen, bar and cellar companies to develop efficient and cost effective back of house services that will deliver your concept.

For larger capital projects, we will provide the students' union with full support by working with the main Project Team, Estates Dept., architects, contractors, sub-contractors, and construction companies to ensure all projects are student led. We will also bring a vast amount of knowledge, experience, and expertise to the design table to ensure the resulting building will exceed expectations.

Developing a successful concept requires understanding and knowledge in a range of disciplines. Audience preferences and behaviours, market and competitive landscape, emerging and fading trends, financial modelling and what-if scenarios, branding and brand evolution, supply chain issues, and even brand portfolio management (for Universities that have multiple competing concepts or outlets) are all key.

Nina & Co. is one of the few agencies (if not the only one) in the UK that can take your project from conception through to build and launch!

The student cohort is forever changing, as are student expectations, interests, and preferences.

With any development work, understanding your audience will be crucial. Research and insight will enable us to determine exactly what your students want and how you can appeal to a broader section of the student community, as well as key student groups to ensure you enhance the student experience. The main research methodologies we use include:

• Qualitative research via focus groups and informal student interviews.
• Quantitative research via web surveys, question cards and social media quizzes.
• Observational and ethnographic research (observing customer behaviour) by visiting your current outlets.
• Competitive landscape and market trend research.

In addition to providing bespoke research for individual universities, Nina & Co. also administers the Benchmark SUrvey. This annual survey that goes out to all students' unions, is probably one of the largest pieces of student specific research in the UK. The results of which help us to really understand the changes in the student cohort, higher education as a whole, as well as monitor national and regional trends. The insights we glean from the research when combined with our student research is absolutely priceless.

Post research, when we have a full understanding of exactly what your students want, what excites them, and what encourages them to use a space or concept we will:

• Developing the concept and/or space strategies.
• Determining the food and drinks offer (if appropriate) or make headline suggestions and work with your commercial teams to develop your offers.
• Create the menu or assist your chefs and catering manager.
• Design the menu, uniform, disposables and PoS (see Brand development section) or provide support to your marketing and design teams.
• Marketing support, promotional calendars and sales drivers.

Providing support throughout the crucial planning stage to ensure you hit budgets and your projects come in on time, and on budget. Working with your teams we will provide support with:

Creating robust business plans and cases to gain the necessary funding and/or Trustee Board approval for students' union projects.

Capex budgeting

Financial forecasting

ROI forecasting

Value Engineering if needed

Developing the Brand Personality: Brand values, promises, story, USPs and tone of voice.

Supporting you and the project team from RIBA Stage 0 to RIBA Stage 6 including:

Provide initial concept design response based on the brief: RIBA Stage 2.

Work with the designers throughout RIBA Stages 3 & 4 to develop the more detailed designs and technical designs. Including providing support throughout the tendering phase - QS, catering & bar specifications, and schedules of works.

Attending design, site and snagging meetings throughout your development, RIBA Stage 5.

Working with the specialist sub-contractors (especially catering, bar, cellar and gym) to produce detailed drawings and designs, forecast costs for budgetary purposes and equipment specifications for M&E budgets.

Working with your team to ensure all designs and the fit out meet your expectations and deliver your vision.

Support and inform the architects, main contractor, M&E and sub-contractors as appropriate.

Troubleshooting where necessary.