We are fast approaching the biggest and best student night of the year: the Summer Ball 2023!?
Thousands of students will be attending this incredible event on Saturday 3rd June 2023, to enjoy a packed programme of entertainment, including live music, amazing artists, fairground rides, food stalls and so much more.
Summer Ball 2023 map:
When and where
The Summer Ball takes place on the University of Plymouth campus. The site extends from the Mary Newman Building through to the Roland Levinsky Building (RLB). There are several central areas the event will make use of, including the Fitzroy Car Park, the Main Hall, Portland Square, the Link Building, and the Students' Union, including the roof.
Set up for the Summer Ball will start the week commencing Tuesday 30th May.
Access to campus buildings included in the Summer Ball site
Wednesday 31st – Friday 2nd June
There will be no access to walk across the SU roof from Wednesday 31st May until Friday 2nd June due to two marquees being installed.?
Saturday 3rd June (Summer Ball)
One the day of the Ball, there will be no access to campus through the Roland Levinsky Building (RLB) entrance from 7am on Saturday 3rd June due to fairground rides being installed. You will still be able to walk around the building and into the building.?
From 4pm on Saturday 3rd June, there will be no access to the Summer Ball site from the North Hill entrance up to Mary Newman and down to RLB.
Buildings will be accessible to staff up to 4pm on Saturday 3rd June on presentation of their staff ID card, although it might not be via the usual route. Signage will be present on the day to advise of the diverted route.
From Saturday 3rd June 7pm until Sunday 4th June 4am there will be no access to areas of campus which are included in the Summer Ball site during the event.
Any member of staff wishing to access buildings contained within the Summer Ball site on campus after 6pm should contact the Duty Manager of the Students' Union for access: 07875 299757
Parking on campus
Fitzroy car park will be unavailable from 5pm on Thursday 1st June until 9am on Sunday 4th June while the Main Stage is being set up.
Mary Newman and RLB car parking spaces will be closed from Friday 2nd?June from 7pm until Sunday 4th June at 9am.
Cycle racks
All cycle racks on the Summer Ball site will be unavailable from Saturday 3rd June from 3pm. Please ensure any bikes are removed from this area before 3pm on Saturday 3rd June as they will not be accessible during the event. Alternative cycle racks can be found outside the Marine Building and the UPSU gym.
Using the Library
The Library will remain open throughout the event but some entrances will have restricted access due to the Summer Ball site. The Main Entrance will be open but you will only be able to access via the stairs next to the bottom Library doors/The Hive. Please use the bottom entrance to the Library via James Street and the Brunel Building. (What 3 words: ///venue.flip.minds)
Due to the Fitzroy car park being out of bounds a temporary fire assembly point for the library will be the corner of Marine building Fire Assembly point D.
Please be aware that there will be higher noise levels throughout the duration of the Summer Ball event, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Accessing on-campus accommodation
Access for residents of the Mary Newman building will be maintained at all times throughout the set up and duration of the event. The Mary Newman car park will be accessible throughout the set up of the event, however, from 7pm on Friday 2nd June parking will be unavailable apart from Blue Badge holders.
If you are a resident and are planning to move out of your accommodation the weekend of Saturday 3rd June please be aware that there will restricted access to parking and the University of Plymouth campus.
Due to the Fitzroy carpark being out of bounds a temporary fire assembly point for the Mary Newman building will be Drake reservoir gardens.
Noise on campus
Sound checks will take place from 12pm on Saturday 3rd June but there may be minimal sporadic noise on Friday 2nd June while the stages are set up and sound systems tested. Every effort will be made to keep this to a minimum so as not to disturb students and staff working on campus. There will also be the construction of marquees and rigging from Tuesday 30th May.
On the night of the Summer Ball outdoor performances will finish no later than 12:30am and entertainment inside the marquees will end at 2am. Finally, acts will be performing inside the Students’ Union and in Davy Main Hall until the event closes at 4am.
Congestion on campus
There will be increased vehicle movements on campus during W/C 31st?May during the build-up, which may also result in congestion especially around the SU.
Please keep in mind that there is likely to be some congestion on campus North Road between 7pm and 10pm on Saturday 3rd June.
If you have any questions regarding the Summer Ball or access on campus please get in touch with us at summerball@upsu.com.