Pressure the university to rethink its street food catering strategy
Beems Brealey submitted on
Wednesday 13th December 2023
Complete
With the recent news that Tuk Inn, one of if not the most popular street food stalls in the area, is ceasing to operate at the University, SUSU and the University must consider the high desire for local street food stalls by students and reconsider their recent changes regarding these.
We have been informed that SUSU are to be the only food stalls on the Redbrick every day of the week next term aside from Tikka Tango on Mondays. This is not the first nor second time major changes to street food provision has happened without student input. Last year, stalls were limited from using the Redbrick with less than two days' notice for supposed reasons of accessibility and power draw, and earlier this semester, all of these businesses were barred from using the space outside of the pond due to littering accusations contradicting nearby CCTV footage.
I will also mention the university's change to the Piazza's exterior, showing photos of food being prepared that isn't sold there, which "coincidentally" happened shortly after stalls were informed of this change.
Vendors I have spoken to have told me that their revenue before operating and premise costs is 40% of the value at the Redbrick. These moves have been made with no consideration of the vendors or students' want for these, and many of the most popular stalls have stated they do not plan to continue at the university, not just for cost but the unreliability of the university as a host.
Responses
Here, you can view the complete set of official responses from the sabbatical officers regarding this submission.
Ed Brooker replied on
Friday 1st Mar 2024 10:22am
Thank you for your submission and apologies for my late response!
There have been various reasons for these changes, with advance notice given to the vendors. The incident with the two days’ notice was an emergency where there was no power available due to circuit problems. Accessibility and power draw are an ongoing problem, and most vendors are aware of this since their trade is constantly interrupted when the power trips, hence us originally going from two vendors on the redbrick to one.
Vendors were moved from the pond area at the University’s request due to it blocking the Arlott entrance. The litter was a one-off incident and was not the only reason to move away from that area.
I have spoken to the University's Head of Catering regarding the exterior of the Piazza who has apologised for any confusion or disappointment caused by the exterior display of Piazza. The window display is designed to showcase the overall ambiance and style of the establishment rather than the specific items on the menu. As the menus change frequently to offer fresh and seasonal options, the food shown on the exterior may not always be available inside.
With regards to charges to the vendors, we are in open talks with the vendors and review prices consistently. Vendors are currently charged £75 (inc.VAT) for the use of the space for the day. For most vendors this usually works out at less than 10% of the daily takings. However, we charge less than other Union sites and are cheaper than competitors’ spaces. We offer the space to rent, and it is purely the choice of the vendors if it is beneficial for them. If not, they are under no obligation to trade here. We have two vendors that are not coming back this term, but that is their choice.
If you have any further queries or would like to discuss this further, feel free to email me at president@soton.ac.uk
Many thanks,
Ed Brooker (He/Him)
Union President 2023/24
Actions
Forwarded to Union President
Thursday 21st Dec 2023 9:01am
Comments
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Totally agree with everyone on here's sentiments. Then again, I think many students would say that SUSU no longer represents them - they do come across as out of touch with the student body at the best of times, in my experience. The "SUSU Clique" as it was once known is alive and well - it's why no progress on anything is ever made, if I had to guess. I certainly can't identify with any aspect of what SUSU says or does. This is just one small example. If they are indeed being anticompetitive then they ought to be reported to the CMA - on the grounds that they are taking advantage of a captive audience. If this isn't the case - SUSU need to expain why they've done this. I understand that perception isn't always reality with these things. It is odd that they'd blame "power draw" though, and indeed I've never seen any issues at all with littering, anywhere on campus, let alone where these stalls are/were located.
I also agree. These stalls have been as undeniably positive change - one I hear about from many students across the University.
The way these stall runners have been treated (including the accusations and the high likelihood of anticompetitive behavior from both the University and SUSU) is quite honestly disgusting.
There have been many actions in recent years which have made me lose faith in SUSU. It's safe to say that I no longer believe they represent me or many of the students at this University.
I agree completely, it's bizarre how empty the campus feels with no street food vendors. I loved the fact that the varied small stalls each day meant I could support small business owners and experience a large swathe of difference cuisines.
There's no point coming to the university to eat without these vendors. The loss of Tuk Inn, and a large number of the other popular vendors makes the campus so much less appealing.
I hope the students union can pressure or work with the university to move back heavily on this change, I know I will no longer be eating at any university outlets now that I know about this policy change.