Campus bars remain in threat of closure
THE HEAD of Commercial Services, Jon Greenwood, has made a plea to students to return to campus bars after a recent downturn has left them running on a deficit. Despite the implementation of the Model 29+ plan in October, under which the seven campus bars are closed for a total of 20 nights over a week, they are still not meeting running costs as a group.
Greenwood said “The plan solved the problem with last year’s turnover. However we have now seen a further decrease in custom this year, and we are in a different financial position. “It is the same bars as before that are losing money, such as Langwith, and we have a system where the better performing bars are sponsoring those that are struggling in order to maintain the collegiate system.”
A monthly focus group, called Bars Forward, has been set up in order to review the performances of the bars, come up with possible solutions, and approve extra opening times. This includes members of Commercial Services, the Students’ Union, JCRCs and Deputy Vice Chancellor Felicity Riddy. Greenwood refused to rule out the possibility of total closure for any of the lesser performing bars, but stressed that this would be a last resort.
“If we were operating on the high street it would be all about making money, and it would make financial sense to close one of the bars. However, we know we’re in a different situation and we’re always mindful of maintaining collegiate spirit. Some people in the University think that we’re here just to make money, but we do see the whole picture. We’re here to make bars a success, but to make bars a success we need students.”
In March last year, YUSU coordinated a “Save the Bars” campaign after it was first revealed that they were under threat from closures as the University tried to counter a financial deficit of over £3 million. Despite the protest, which included a week-long boycott of bars, the proposed closures were pushed through.
Greenwood is keen to urge students to use their bars as much as possible in order to aid their survival.
