A towering office block could be converted to host over 100 student bedrooms. Parts of the eight-storey Pearl House on Friar Lane would be transformed from office space into 140 student bedrooms under new plans.
The second and ninth floors, which are currently offices, and a car park would be turned into 14 four-bedroom cluster rooms and 84 studios. There will be no changes to Costa, Poundland and Lakeland on the ground floor levels or to the residential apartments at first floor level.
Some shoppers said universities were 'taking over', while others touted the benefits of students living in the city centre. Retiree John Barber, 83, who lives in Bramcote, said: "The universities are taking over Nottingham. Triumph Road for example is just full of university buildings now.
