Written by Naumaan Farooq
One of the UK’s fastest-growing student lettings agencies, loc8me, has marked another major milestone with the launch of a new branch in Bristol.
The company’s new space is located on Whiteladies Road in the heart of Bristol and represents a significant investment in the city’s thriving student market.
With the ability to accommodate thousands across a vast portfolio of managed properties, it will serve students in Bristol, Cardiff, and Bath while driving job creation and supporting the company’s continued growth.
The expansion further solidifies its position as a dominant player in the student housing sector, continuing its rapid growth strategy across the country.
Founded in 2008 by entrepreneur Raffaele Russo from his Loughborough University bedroom, loc8me has been driven by a bold ambition to transform student lettings. Seventeen years later, the company has grown at an unprecedented pace, becoming one of the UK’s leading student accommodation providers.
Today, loc8me manages more than 2,500 properties and houses over 6,700 students across 13 major university cities, including Loughborough, Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff, Durham, Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leicester, Hull, Bath, and now Bristol.
With more than 500 landlords on board and a workforce exceeding 75 staff, the company is showing no signs of slowing down.
Raffaele attributes loc8me’s success to its unique approach – one that goes beyond simply providing student accommodation.
“From day one, our mission has been to offer more than just a place to live. We create communities where students can make lifelong memories, form friendships and create experiences that stay with them long after university,” he said.
“Our expansion into Bristol is a testament to the strength of our model and the growing demand for high-quality student housing. We’re investing in the future of student living and showing that we’re here to stay.”
The firm has built its reputation on offering modern, stylish, and well-managed properties, ensuring students feel at home while they study.
Unlike traditional lettings agencies, the company focuses on creating spaces that enhance the student experience, from social-friendly interiors to seamless property management services. This emphasis on quality has driven loc8me’s rapid rise and positioned it as a leader in the competitive student lettings market.
As student populations continue to rise, the demand for well-managed, high-quality accommodation is stronger than ever, and loc8me is capitalising on this trend with its new branch.
As the company continues to scale up operations nationwide, the Bristol launch signals another step toward its long-term vision: to redefine student living.
Reflecting on his journey from a single office to running a nationwide company, Raffaele added: “I started loc8me with just a handful of properties and a dream to do things differently. I wanted to create a lettings agency that truly puts students first while also building strong, trusted relationships with landlords.
“With a clear track record of success, an ever-expanding portfolio, and a commitment to continuous growth, loc8me is proving that its rise in the industry is far from over. If anything, this is just the beginning.
“Seeing where we are now is incredible, but we’re only getting started. We want to keep growing, keep innovating, and keep providing students with homes where they can thrive. Bristol is a huge step forward for us, and I’m excited for what’s next.”
