Case Study

Homes for Students – Automated Refreshment Solution for Student Residences

Modern vending and self-serve coffee provision supporting student accommodation sites across the UK

Results That Speak for Themselves

Student accommodation environments with 24/7 refreshment availability for residents through automated vending and self-serve coffee equipment.

80

Drinks/Day
Sold on average

100%

Staff satisfaction
reported informally

Academy£1
Starbucks£3.45
Caffè Nero£3.3
Costa Coffee£3.25
Pret A Manger£3.1

Staff pay ~70% less per drink compared to high street chains — saving £2.25–£2.45 per cup, with convenience and no queues.

Client Overview

  • Organisation: Homes for Students
  • Sector: Student Accommodation / Residential
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Environment: Purpose-built student accommodation sites

The Challenge

The student accommodation sector has become increasingly competitive, with providers investing in facilities and services to improve the attractiveness of their residences. Homes for Students wanted to enhance the on-site experience for residents by providing convenient access to quality refreshments within their buildings.


The requirement was for reliable automated refreshment solutions that could operate across a range of accommodation sizes while appealing to modern student expectations.

Procurement Requirements

  • Reliable automated refreshment provision for student residences
  • Snack and soft drink vending available on site
  • Self-serve coffee provision at larger accommodation locations
  • Equipment suited to communal residential environments
  • Modern technology and payment options suitable for students

Why Livewell Was Selected

Livewell was selected due to its ability to supply and operate modern automated refreshment solutions suitable for student accommodation environments. The combination of branded vending equipment, contemporary technology, and an operational model that included performance reporting and ongoing support aligned well with the requirements of Homes for Students.

Solution Delivered

Service Scope

Livewell implemented a managed refreshment solution designed to support student residents with convenient access to drinks, snacks and coffee within their accommodation buildings.

  • Installation and setup of vending and coffee equipment
  • Ongoing stocking of drinks and snacks suitable for student demand
  • Regular performance monitoring and reporting
  • Ongoing operational support and service management
  • Maintenance and technical support for equipment across locations
Vending machine
Vending machine

Equipment and Technology

The refreshment solution combines vending and coffee equipment appropriate to the size and usage levels of each accommodation site.

  • Snack vending machines
  • Cold drinks vending machines
  • Self-serve coffee machines for larger residences
  • Contactless payment systems
  • Touch-free coffee selection interface
  • Modern branded vending equipment

Operational Benefits

  • Refreshments available on site for residents
  • Reduced need for students to leave accommodation for drinks or snacks
  • Modern technology appealing to student users
  • Equipment suitable for communal residential spaces
  • Data reporting to monitor machine performance
Vending machine

Staff Outcomes and Feedback

“The vending and coffee provision has made it easy for students at our residences to access quality refreshments on site; this has been especially important during the pandemic and lockdown periods. Livewell’s branded vending looks the part in the locations and, equipped with the latest tech, is appealing to use. Performance data is provided regularly and the support is second to none. I am happy to recommend Livewell to other organisations.”

Commercial and Operations Manager
Homes for Students

Key Benefits

Quality Coffee Provision

24/7 Refreshment Access

Modern Vending Technology

Contactless Payments

Managed Service Support

Looking to improve refreshment provision within your student accommodation facilities?

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  • Note: We supply vending and coffee solutions across the North of England and North Midlands, typically from Hull to Liverpool and from Newcastle to Derby.

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