Wednesday 07-10-2020 - 17:55

Lancaster University Students' Union is sorry to announce that it has no choice but to pause operations at its Sugarhouse venue with immediate effect due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions. 

The union launched a trial reopening of the venue in Welcome Week, reconfiguring it to table service and with a significantly reduced maximum capacity in line with government advice. 

Unfortunately demand for tickets for Sugarhouse events has been lower than hoped, and as a result the venue is operating at a loss. 

The decision was taken today (October 7) to pause operations. 

Vice-President (Union Development) Atree Ghosh said: "We opened the Sugarhouse last week in a trial to see how it would work and how we could offer one of the safest night out experiences in Lancaster. Unfortunately, the numbers and the finances behind those nights have now come back and looking at the finances we've lost over £4,500 in the first week of opening. 

"Obviously less money means we have less money to do other things, especially in a year when finances are so tight." 

The union will work to resume operations at the Sugarhouse at a future date when Covid restrictions are relaxed to the point that the venue can once more become financially viable. 

Union President Oliver Robinson said: "The Board decided the Sugarhouse should open to provide that experience and opportunity for students coming back to Lancaster, in the hopes of providing some social opportunities, even if it wasn't quite the same.  

"The take-home message for us is the Sugarhouse is not for sale, the Sugarhouse will stay where it is and the Sugarhouse will remain with us throughout the year for us to pass on to the next team." 

All tickets sold for events this week will be refunded in full.