Due to concerns of the new COVID variant, Omicron, the Students’ Union has decided to close The Sugarhouse for the remainder of the year.
In a statement published on their website, a LUSU spokesperson has said:
“After much careful consideration in response to the rise of the Omicron variant, the decision was taken by the Students’ Union to close The Sugarhouse for the remainder of this calendar year. This means we will not open as intended on Friday the 17th of December.”
LUSU SPOKESPERSON
The event planned, for the last night before many Lancaster University students returned home, was guaranteed to be the “biggest party of the year!” on The Sugarhouse’s Instagram page, @the_sugarhouse.
Called The Sugarhouse’s ‘Winter Wonderland’, Friday night promised full club décor, Santa and his elves giving away presents, and a big cash giveaway. Now, students have nothing from The Sugarhouse before they go home for Christmas.
According to a spokesperson from LUSU, “this is not a decision that was taken lightly, but we believe it to be in the best interests of the health and safety of students who attend the venue and the staff who work there.”
With this in mind, Lancaster University students are calling into question the University’s earlier decision to continue in-person teaching.
“If Sugarhouse has already closed its doors, I don’t see in-person teaching lasting much longer. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if in-person teaching and student services is moved online in the first week of January. (After students have returned to campus/in town accommodation, though, to guarantee rent, of course.)”
COUNTY STUDENT
The Students’ Union intends to re-open The Sugarhouse in the New Year when it’s safe to do so. Ticket holders for Friday will be issued a full refund for the ticket price although this may take up to 10 working days.
A member of the Sugarhouse Management will be on site tomorrow between 11am-4pm should students wish to collect any lost property from Wednesday night, or coats left in the cloakroom. Any lost property from previous weeks can be collected from the Lancaster Students’ Union Welcome Desk.
“Happy Holidays from the entire Sugarhouse team, we look forward to seeing you in the New Year.”
