Status: Complete

Is the laptop ban in The Bridge effective?

The laptop ban in the bridge is an understandable rule, if it was to make the food outlet easier to access for all, to prevent tables being used by studying students who do not purchase food.

This is not what the rule is about. I was asked to put my laptop away today:

There were multiple free tables avaliable.

I had purchased food and drink.

I was continually harrassed by one member of bar staff.

Others such as "SUSU management" were using laptops - Bar staff stated that the reason that they could was because they were management. According to the bars manager laptops are allowed on "soft furnishings"? Was this a said to stop my protest or a genuine rule that isn't advertised? - This is not stated in any signage around the bar.

It seems that the reasons why this rule was put in place have been lost. The situation I was in makes no sense, if students are made to feel unwelcome for the use of laptops so should SUSU management, this is a STUDENTS union. Why do rules in SUSU only apply to students?

From my situation mentioned above I do not see the laptop ban achieving its intended purpose. I left The Bridge feeling harassed and upset, isn't there something wrong here?  - To add to my annoyance the final harassment from the member of bar staff was given when other students were using their laptops around me and not being asked to leave.