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Sustainability Café Unveils Fresh New Look, New Menu and Enhanced Visitor Experience

October 9, 2026

The Sustainability Café has undergone an exciting transformation over the summer, with a range of improvements designed to enhance both the space and the visitor experience. The refurbishment, delivered by the Estates and Hospitality & Retail teams, includes new flooring with improved acoustic performance, creating a quieter and more comfortable environment for customers. The café has also been reconfigured with a more open and flexible layout, and additional power points, complemented by stylish new indoor and outdoor furniture.

Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the project. The new furniture features upholstery made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials, alongside FSC-certified timber sourced from responsibly managed forests. These choices reflect the universities’ continued commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible procurement.

Visitors can also make the most of a new table service experience. Simply take a seat, make a note of your table number, place your order at the till, and the café team will bring your food and drinks directly to you. It’s the perfect way to relax and enjoy the stunning views across the Penryn Campus while you wait.

A Fresh New Lunch Menu

Alongside its refreshed surroundings, the café has introduced a selection of new lunchtime dishes, freshly prepared in-house.

As well as the popular range of bagels, toasties and homemade cakes, customers can now enjoy:

Vegan Ramen – £5.50 A weekly rotating broth served with glass noodles and seasonal vegetables. Each week, one of the following flavours will be available:

  1. Classic Miso
  2. Thai Coconut
  3. Japanese Curry

Vegan Salad Bowl – £5.50 A fresh, seasonal salad that changes each week. Check the menu board to discover this week’s special.

A Fresh New Identity

With so many exciting changes taking place, it was the ideal time to give the café’s branding a refresh too. Brogan Dorgan, Multi-Site Team Manager, has overseen the café’s new identity, including updated uniforms, a redesigned menu and a fresh new look throughout the space. “It’s the perfect place to stop for a catch-up with friends, grab a coffee between lectures or meet with colleagues,” says Brogan. “Our amazing barista, Hollie Davis, designed our new logo, which now features on our loyalty cards and team uniforms.”

The café’s new uniforms have been supplied by Exhibit 1 Clothing in Hayle and are made from 100% organic cotton, complementing the Sustainability Café’s values and commitment to responsible sourcing.

Come and Visit

The Sustainability Café is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Bring along your friends, housemates or colleagues to explore the refreshed space, try the new menu and share your feedback with the Hospitality & Retail Team.

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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£24 Weekly Bus Ticket Using University Discount

September 4, 2026

Bus users with a valid university email address can receive 40% off the Adult Weekly Ticket (usually £40) and 25% off the Young Person’s (19-25) Weekly Ticket (usually £32) when using the Transport for Cornwall app. With the new university discount applied, it brings the cost down to £24.  

Both these tickets offer unlimited travel across all of Cornwall, for seven consecutive days, making them better value than other 7-day unlimited travel options, such as the Town Zone Ticket 7-day bundle (£28). 

The discount also brings the cost of the Adult Weekly Ticket and Young Person (19 – 25) Weekly Ticket in line with the Under 19s All Cornwall Travel Ticket, which is also £24. For persons aged 16-18 and only wishing to travel within the Penryn and Falmouth, the 7-day Town Zone Ticket option remains to be cheaper at £18*.  

To redeem your university discount and receive 40% off the Adult Weekly Ticket or 25% off the Young Person’s (19-25) Ticket, follow the instructions below.  

*Please note the bundles and pricing were accurate as of 1 September 2026 and may be subject to change. Always ensure you do your own research prior to making any purchase. For more information about bus travel and pricing, you can visit the updated Public Transport pages on the FX Plus website. 

How to redeem your discount 

  1. Download the Transport for Cornwall app: Download the Transport for Cornwall app – Transport for Cornwall 
  1. Create an account using your university email address ending in one of the following: 
  • @falmouth.ac.uk 
  • @exeter.ac.uk 
  • @fxplus.ac.uk 
  • @thesu.org.uk 
  1. Once your account is verified, the discount will be automatically applied when purchasing the Adult Weekly Ticket or Young Person’s (19-25) Weekly Ticket. 

The university discount will be applied automatically when you are signed in with your university email address and select a Young Person’s or Adult Weekly Ticket, or use codes:  

  • Young Person’s (19-25) Weekly Ticket: FALMOUTH29 
  • Adult (26+) Weekly Ticket: FALMOUTH28 

Validity 

  • The discount is valid from 1 September 2026 till 1 July 2027 

What you’ll pay 

  • Adult Weekly Ticket: 40% discount, bringing the price down to £24 
  • Young Person (19 – 25) Weekly Ticket: 25% discount, bringing the price down to £24 

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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Penryn Campus Retains Green Flag Award for Ninth consecutive Year

July 20, 2026

Penryn University Campus, the campus shared by Falmouth University and the University of Exeter, raises the prestigious Green Flag Award after achieving the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Falmouth Exeter Plus is celebrating after receiving a Green Flag Award for Penryn campus. The site has retained this accolade now for its 9th consecutive year.

Stuart Gaslonde, Executive Director at Falmouth Exeter Plus, said:

“It is fantastic to see the Penryn Campus recognised with this award once again. Our grounds and gardens are a much-loved part of campus life, enjoyed by students, staff and visitors throughout the year.

“This achievement reflects the expertise and commitment of the teams who care for these spaces every day. Their work helps make Penryn Campus a special place to study, work and visit, while also supporting our sustainability ambitions, enhancing biodiversity and creating opportunities for people to connect with and enjoy the natural environment.

“My sincere thanks to everyone involved. This award is a reflection of your hard work and dedication and of the pride taken in making Penryn Campus such a special place.”

The Tremough Estate, now known as the Penryn University Campus, spans 100 acres of countryside and combines historic sub-tropical gardens with new landscapes that are open for everyone to enjoy.

Steeped in history, the estate is renowned for its 18th-century Lime Avenue, historic Pinetum, native woodlands and rare rhododendrons first cultivated here during the Victorian era. Visitors can also explore the walled garden, fruit-producing orchard, and Italianate gardens and terraces.

The gardens boast vibrant displays of flowers, shrubs, cacti and succulents. Their quality was recognised at the 2026 Falmouth Spring Flower Show, where the Grounds and Gardens team won two trophies, four gold medals, seven silvers and six bronzes.

New for 2025/2026, and as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, 140+ trees have been planted across campus, including a new orchard of Cornish apple varieties near the wooden walkway below AMATA and Japanese cherry trees to celebrate UK–Japan friendship.

Wildflower areas have also been expanded and enhanced to increase biodiversity and support local wildlife. Much of this work has been made possible through the support of students, staff and volunteers, whose contributions continue to help the grounds thrive.

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: 

“Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming.

“With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life.

“Falmouth Exeter Plus has shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard.

“Congratulations to everyone involved.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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International Day for Biodiversity – Friday 22 May 2026

May 18, 2026

To mark International Day for Biodiversity (22 May), we’re celebrating our impact and the positive steps being taken to support wildlife across our campus.

Throughout the 2025/26 academic year, a range of initiatives have been introduced to help enhance habitats and increase biodiversity, including:

📅 6 Tree planting and wildflower planting events attended by 48 volunteers.

🌼 2,129 wildflower plugs planted so far.

🌸 80m² of wildflower turf laid, featuring over 30 different flower species.

🌳 144 trees planted over the winter months including 26 different species.

🐝 50 bee bricks built into the new wall in the Walled Garden, with a further 20 installed across Penryn Campus.

🦇🦜 16+ New bat and bird boxes put up to support nesting and roosting.

🦔 3 Hedgehog houses introduced to encourage safe habitats and 2 hedgehog tunnel tracking events to better understand which areas of campus are supporting healthy ecosystems.

These actions form part of our ongoing commitment to supporting wildlife on campus and creating richer, more resilient natural spaces for everyone to enjoy. For more information about sustainability initiatives at FX Plus visit: https://fxplus.ac.uk/content/campus-information/sustainability/

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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No Mow May at Penryn Campus

May 12, 2026

This May, Penryn Campus is celebrating No Mow May – a national campaign encouraging people to reduce mowing and create more space for nature to thrive. 

By allowing lawns to grow naturally, wildflowers and native grasses are given time to grow. These plants provide essential food and shelter for pollinators and insects, which in turn support wider wildlife including birds, bats, hedgehogs and more! 

Across the UK, pollinator populations are under increasing pressure due to habitat loss, climate change and intensive land management. Initiatives like No Mow May help create valuable habitats and wildlife corridors in both urban and rural environments. 

What are we doing at Penryn Campus? 

The FX Plus grounds team works hard to support biodiversity throughout the year. Large areas of grassland across campus are intentionally left uncut from spring through to late summer, allowing plants time to flower, seed and support local wildlife. 

Grounds teams and sustainability staff are also supporting biodiversity by: 

  • Maintaining over five acres of wild grassy areas that are cut only once or twice a year after flowering and seeding has finished 
  • Creating and caring for wildflower areas across campus, including around the Lime Avenue and veteran oak trees 
  • Managing pathways and clearings through meadow areas so that people can continue to enjoy and access these spaces 
  • Clearing sprawling brambles to make way for wildflowers and native planting 
  • Sowing wildflower seeds and planting new shoots to encourage greater species diversity 
  • Tracking hedgehogs to understand which areas of campus are supporting healthy ecosystems 

The universities are also investing in new equipment to support sustainable grounds management. A new ride-on mower, funded by the University of Exeter and FX Plus, will help grounds teams collect and manage grass cuttings more efficiently. 

“It’s going to be great, I think it will really scale up and improve our management of the wild grassy areas on campus and hopefully lead to more diversity and abundance of wildflowers in the future” said Alasdair Garnett, Gardener at FX Plus. 

How can students and staff get involved? 

There are lots of simple ways to support nature during No Mow May: 

  • Leave parts of your lawn or garden uncut and observe what species appear 
  • Grow native, pollinator-friendly plants in pots or gardens – English lavender is a great option for small spaces and attracts bees 
  • Share photos of wildlife spotted around campus 
  • Stick to pathways around rewilded areas to help protect emerging plants and habitats 

  

See here for more information about No Mow May: https://www.plantlife.org.uk/campaigns/nomowmay/ 

And here for more information about sustainability initiatives at FX Plus: https://fxplus.ac.uk/content/campus-information/sustainability/ 

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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New £20 Adult Weekly Bus Ticket & Price Freeze for 19-25 Year Olds

April 17, 2026

Following discussions with Go Cornwall, and thanks to feedback from students and staff, we are pleased to announce that the bus operator has agreed to freeze bus prices for 19-25 year olds until the summer. This means if you are aged 19-25, unlimited one day travel on Cornwall’s bus network is £8.

In addition, bus users with a valid university email address can now get £20 off the Adult Weekly Ticket (usually £40) when using the Transport for Cornwall app. With the new university discount applied the ticket offers unlimited travel across all of Cornwall, for seven consecutive days, for just £20.

The university discount now makes the Adult Weekly Ticket better value than many other 7-day unlimited travel options, such as the Young Person’s (19-25) All of Cornwall 7-day bundle (£32), Town Zone Ticket 7-day bundle (£28) and Under 19 All of Cornwall unlimited 7-day bundle (£24).

To redeem your university discount and receive £20 off the Adult Weekly Ticket, follow the instructions below. For more information about bus travel and pricing, you can visit the updated Public Transport pages on the FX Plus website.

£20 University Discount on Adult Weekly Bus Ticket

How it works

  1. Download the Transport for Cornwall app: Download the Transport for Cornwall app – Transport for Cornwall
  2. Create an account using your university email address ending in one of the following:
  • @falmouth.ac.uk
  • @exeter.ac.uk
  • @fxplus.ac.uk
  • @thesu.org.uk
  1. Once your account is verified, you’ll automatically receive a £20 discount when purchasing a Cornwall Adult Weekly Ticket.

The £20 discount will be applied automatically when you have verified your account, are signed in with your University email address and select an Adult Weekly Ticket, or use code: FALMOUTH27.

Validity

  • The discount is valid from 12th April 2026 till 1st July 2026

What you’ll pay

Adult Weekly Ticket price after discount: £20

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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Campus and Residential Support Shortlisted for ASRA Innovation of the Year Award 2026

April 14, 2026

FX Plus Campus and Residential Support has been shortlisted as one of four finalists in the Innovation of the Year category at the Association for Student Residential Accommodation (ASRA) Awards 2026.  

The nomination recognises the impact the FX Plus teams have made on the student experience, campus safety, and institutional resilience. It also highlights the collaborative work between Safety and Support, Accommodation Services, and Student Services, who together have created a more holistic and integrated 24/7 student support service for students living in accommodation and during out‑of‑hours periods. This innovative approach has already received significant external recognition through the team’s recent contribution to achieving two UMHC Awards, alongside excellent feedback praising the quality, integration, and student‑centred nature of the services delivered. 

Reflecting on the shortlisting, Natalie Brown, Head of Campus and Residential Support said: 

“This achievement would not be possible without the contribution of each service, or without the strong collaborative approach all teams continue to demonstrate in working more effectively together to deliver a truly student-focused and cohesive service.” 

ASRA Events Officer Jeanette Wilson added: 

“It was inspiring to see so many teams and individuals doing exceptional work across the sector. The standard of submissions was incredibly high, and the finalists were very closely matched.” 

The winners will be announced at the ASRA Conference Awards Dinner on Tuesday 21 April at the Hilton, Liverpool. FX Plus is shortlisted alongside Loughborough University’s Student Accommodation Centre, Bangor University’s Campus Life, and The University of Manchester’s Accommodation Team, reflecting an exceptionally strong field of contenders. 

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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100+ New Trees Planted on Penryn Campus

April 7, 2026

This winter saw us successfully plant 106 new trees across the Penryn Campus, thanks to Forest for Cornwall funding and a fantastic cross campus collaboration.

Staff from FX Plus, the University of Exeter Sustainability Team, and Maisie Williams, a student at the University of Exeter and part-time Sustainability Intern, worked together to organise and deliver the project.

Four volunteer tree planting events were held on the Penryn Campus, bringing together 43 students, staff and local community members to help get the trees into the ground.

Tree species were carefully selected to suit the varied conditions across campus, from exposed and windy locations to areas prone to waterlogging. Pot-grown trees were planted, combining native and ornamental species chosen for their tolerance of specific site conditions.

A new orchard of fruit trees has also been established beside the boardwalk between Old Lane and the Studytel building. All the trees were planted with a layer of mulch sourced from the Penryn grounds and protected with spiral guards. In addition, young hedging whips and ornamental willows were planted to fill gaps and reinforce our existing hedgerows.

“It’s been brilliant working together to add more trees to the Penryn Campus and I can’t wait to taste the first apple from the fruit trees!” said Dr. Rosalind Shaw, Sustainability Manager (Biodiversity) at the University of Exeter.

In total, 16 different species of tree were planted, which will further support wildlife and biodiversity on campus.

This project highlights the power of teamwork across departments and with our wider campus community.

A big thank you to everyone involved and to Forest for Cornwall, whose funding made it possible to purchase the trees and bring this project to life.

Forest for Cornwall supports local residents, businesses and communities of Cornwall to plant woodlands, orchards, hedgerows, parks and gardens. Their projects aim to “tackle the climate and ecological emergencies by supporting the planting of the right trees, in the right place for the right purpose.” You can find out more about them on their website.

Volunteer sustainability events will continue run every Wednesday from 2–4pm at the Penryn campus until May. Visit Eventbrite for more details.

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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Shrub Trophy Triumph for Tremough Gardens at the 2026 Spring Flower Show

March 27, 2026

The 116th Falmouth Spring Flower Show took place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March at the Princess Pavilion, filling the venue with vibrant displays and the unmistakable scents of spring. The annual event brings together some of Cornwall’s finest gardens, horticulturalists, community groups, and dedicated enthusiasts — including the FX Plus Grounds and Gardens Team.

This year proved exceptional for the team, who proudly secured The Shrub Trophy and Best in Cut Classes. The Shrub Trophy, originally the Chamber of Commerce Challenge Trophy, is believed by Grounds and Gardens Manager Toby Nenning to be the oldest cup from the show’s early years. It recognises the highest number of points in the shrub and hardwood categories, including Tremough Garden’s historic and internationally significant rhododendrons, alongside camellias, magnolias, and other shrubs.

The team also claimed Best in Section for cut flowers, showcasing an impressive array of daffodils, hyacinths, and other spring blooms. Their entries in the cacti and succulent classes also performed strongly, contributing to an outstanding haul of awards. In total, Tremough Gardens took home two trophies, four golds, seven silvers, and six bronzes — a testament to the team’s passion, skill, and dedication.

Awards were presented by the Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Alan Jewell, who praised the high standard of exhibits, saying:

“It has been fantastic to see such a high standard of exhibits on display this weekend. The creativity and dedication of everyone who has taken part is clear to see.”

Show organiser Nicola Burgess added:

“The quality and variety of exhibits were excellent, and it was clear a great deal of time and care had gone into them.”

This year’s show featured 870 entries from 95 exhibitors, with fierce competition from gardens such as Trewinthen and vibrant involvement from schools, community groups, and individual growers — highlighting the ongoing strength and diversity of local horticultural talent.

The Spring Flower Show has a long and celebrated history. In the early 1900s, it served as Cornwall’s premier season‑opening event, attracting royalty and notable figures including Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. After the retirement of the volunteer committee in 2019, Falmouth Town Council took on custodianship, working to preserve the show’s legacy while broadening its appeal to audiences of all ages and gardening experience.

The continued success of the team’s entries from Tremough Gardens (our Penryn campus) contributes proudly to this annual tradition. Congratulations to everyone involved, and to the organisers of this historic event.

Visit the Falmouth Packet to read their coverage of the event. To find out more about the history of the Falmouth Spring Flower Show, click here.

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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New Ways to Pay for Parking: Trust Parking App

March 20, 2026

Following the recent upgrade of the pay stations across our Penryn Campus car parks, there are now additional ways to pay for your parking using the new Trust Parking app. 

The Trust Parking app means that you no longer need to visit the pay stations to make a payment for parking. An additional feature of the app is Auto‑Pay, which makes paying for parking even easier and you don’t have to think about paying.

With a payment method saved in the App, and Auto-Pay enabled, your vehicle registration will be recognised as you drive through the barriers and you will be let out of the car park and automatically charged, with a receipt sent to your inbox.

The Trust parking app currently boasts over 350,000 downloads and is available on the App Store and on Google Play. 

Key Benefits include:

  • Quick and simple sign-up
  • Add multiple vehicles to your account
  • Enable Auto‑Pay for seamless entry and exit
  • Automatic email receipts

Although we have moved to a new system, parking prices remain the same whether you pay via the app or choose to use one of the pay stations.

How to get started?

Simply download the Trust Parking App and follow the onscreen instructions to:

  1. Create an account. You will need to verify your account using a valid email address.
  2. Add your vehicle details. You can add multiple vehicles if you need to.
  3. Add a payment method. You will also have the option to enable Auto-Pay if you want to.

How the app works?

When you drive into the car park the ANPR camera on the barriers reads your registration plate and your live session begins. You will see your parking session appear in the ‘Session’ tab within the app. Drive out of the car park and the camera will match your vehicle registration and you will automatically be charged and a receipt sent to your email address. Don’t worry if you do not want to use Auto-Pay. You can also open the app shortly before you want to leave, tap on the session and pay.

If you have any questions about the new system, please contact: carparking@fxplus.ac.uk.

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.