Friday 17-06-2022 - 19:05

The Students’ Union has been deeply concerned by the lack of care taken for patrons of the GLOW nightclub for some time and we know most of the patrons are our students. In September 2021, the Students’ Union as a corporate body decided to boycott Glow, preventing them from attending Freshers’ Fest. We have not worked with them since the spiking epidemic at the start of the year and at that time did actively encourage our student groups to do the same.

The Students’ Union is required to approve all sponsorship agreements with external bodies. Whilst we have tried to encourage student groups to find other organisations to work with, we took the view that it was better to try and regulate and reduce the harm that contracts with GLOW might cause. The SU will be continuing its practice of non-cooperation with GLOW and have taken the additional decision that we will no longer approve sponsorship agreements that involve GLOW for the foreseeable future.

GLOW Nightclub have now demonstrated repeatedly that they do not align with our values. Any student group or club that enters into a new sponsorship agreement or relationship around hosting socials with this venue will be disaffiliated from the Students’ Union immediately without consultation.

For any groups and clubs who currently have ongoing sponsorship agreements with Glow for 2021/2022 academic year please urgently email lusuadvertising@lancaster.ac.uk so that we can provide immediate support in terminating these agreements in a way that does not impact you. Any club or group that fails to notify us immediately of existing agreements or signs a new agreement will be disaffiliated from the students’ union and will no longer have access to any funding or operational support.

We are aware that you may have bookings with Glow to use the venue, and we urge our members to contact the sugarhouse@lancaster.ac.uk to see whether we can accommodate your event.

Amy Merchant, VP Welfare, says: “I believe the position that the SU has taken is in the best interests of the welfare of our members. The union has a duty to put student welfare first, and we must act responsibly. I am really pleased that many of our student clubs and groups are welcoming this decision.”

Our confidential and non-judgemental SU Advice Team can help you if you require support by emailing: advice@lancastersu.co.uk

We also want to raise awareness about the Street Safe Online Tool:  https://www.police.uk/pu/notices/streetsafe/street-safe/ which can be used to anonymously report about public places where you have felt or feel unsafe.