The Students Union bar and catering services in the Robbins Centre are to be run by the university from June 1.
The Union released a statement on Thursday announcing the decision, made by the Trustee Board. The running of the outlets will be transferred to Stirling Hotel Services Ltd, a sub-brand of the university.
The university will run the outlets for at least five years.
A spokesperson for Stirling Hotel Services Ltd and Stirling Students Union said: “We can confirm that Stirling Hotel Services Ltd and Stirling Students Union have agreed the transfer of the Union’s bar and catering services.
“The transfer is anticipated to start from June 1, following a full consultation process period.
“We look forward to continuing to work in partnership to ensure an excellent service is available to our students and wider campus community.”
‘Difficult decisions’
In their statement, the Union said that RAAC had drastically affected their ability to trade. The whole top floor of the Robbins Centre, including the main Studio bar, was forced to close.
They also pointed to “rising product costs and ever tighter margins”. This is a problem which has faced businesses across the country during the cost-of-living crisis.
The decision was taken to ensure that the Union could continue to deliver key services. These include funding for societies, sports and academic representation.
As part of the transfer, the Union and Stirling Hotel Services Ltd confirmed to Brig that all jobs would be protected and maintained as they are.
The student experience
Students’ Union and university representatives confirmed that students and societies will still be able to book the spaces for events.
On top of that, the Union confirmed that feedback from students will be fed into discussions with the university, through the Robbins Partnership Forum.
Before the transfer was announced, the Union was committed to transitioning its menus to be fully plant-based by 2025. It had already reached a 50 per cent plant-based menu.
It is unclear whether the university will continue to honour the plans after June 1.
A university spokesperson said: “We are proud of the wide range of catering options we offer on campus.
“We have already seen how well our plant-based products have been received, including at Sup, and are excited to work with the Students’ Union on future catering options.”
Featured Image Credit: Brig Newspaper
Former News Editor 2023/24 at Brig Newspaper. Former Chief Sub-Editor 2022/23.
MSc International Journalism student at the University of Stirling.
[…] running of Stirling’s Students’ Union catering services and bar, known as Robbins, is set to be transferred to the university on June 1, […]