Tempers flared at the long-awaited launch of City University’s new bar as students tried to push their way past bouncers after being left queuing for hours.
Security official declared the CityBar full just 30 minutes into its launch event and adopted an unpopular ‘one in one out’ policy on the doors.
Monday’s event, which featured a DJ set and free food, attracted hundreds of students and staff. The bar has a capacity of 450, but council inspectors made a last-minute decision to cut numbers to 210 due to ongoing construction work and a lack of fire exits.
Richard Mansfield, City’s Head of Security, said the council had “ultimate power” and so the reduced headcount had to be enforced, leaving many disappointed students stuck outside.
Justin Walwyn, Director at Sodexo, the multinational catering company which manages the bar, criticised students who tried to push. He told the Square newspaper: “They were not being mature because they were queuing for a long time and eventually they pushed to get through the doors.
“We feel that people weren’t safe. The team behind the bar did a good job but a lot of students who wanted the service to be faster were aggressive towards staff. Planning went out the window. It was like a nightclub in central London.”
Students reacted angrily to the event, with second-year Bazil Crowley branding it the “worst thing” he had ever been to. He condemned the bar’s strategy to “host a night which only 100 people can go to when they are inviting the whole university”.
Rima Amin, President of the university’s Students’ Union, apologised for the “frustrating” admission policy.
“We aren’t prepared to break any restrictions the council propose and risk the place getting shut down altogether,” she said. “Health and safety restrictions are something we will never compromise on.
“Saying this, I know for a fact the bar was designed to cater for a larger capacity. For this reason, we will be challenging the council’s decision.”
The opening was also criticised for failing to be on time, with many students angry that it was not ready for freshers’ week. The bar’s food service was also not ready for the opening night, but the union assured students that it would be available “shortly after” the launch.
A spokesperson for City University said: “A last minute short term reduction in the capacity of the bar was imposed following a visit from Islington Council. This meant that the venue could not accommodate the number of students who turned up for the launch party. Property & Facilities apologise to the student body for the inconvenience and disappointment this may have caused.
“The University’s priority is the welfare of our students and abiding by the rules and regulations put in place by the authorities is one way we ensure that our facilities can be used safely. We are working hard to have the capacity increased as soon as possible and will keep the SU President fully informed of progress”.
Digital journalist student Interactive Journalism at City University London.
@AshleyKirk92