The future of Sidney Sussex College Bar is uncertain this week after the College Council raised concerns over the bar’s prices, financial management and student behaviour.

A heated open meeting took place in the College on Wednesday night during which Council members and students exchanged views on the matter.

The popular venue is the only College Bar in Cambridge which remains fully run by students and is well known among Cambridge undergrads as the cheapest place to buy a pint. Currently a student can buy a pint of Carlsberg for £1.30.

However, senior members of the College have spoken of their shock at the low prices of alcohol, particularly spirits and alcopops. The police, too, have expressed concern about the propensity for irresponsible drinking.

College Council is also worried about the fact that the bar has made a loss in the last two terms. In 2006, the Council passed a motion which stated that if the bar made a loss for two consecutive terms it would be closed.

In response to a loss of £350 in the last financial year the Council and Sidney Sussex College Students’ Union (SSCSU) have set up a working group to discuss the future of the bar. Council members of the working group want to see the bar’s prices raised to 90% of the Cambridge College average, which in most cases would mean doubling them. They also want to employ a professional bar steward to assist bar staff on the busiest nights of the week, and place a senior member of the College on the bar committee.

Furthermore, the Council want to begin charging the bar rent to the tune of £21,000 a year. Not charging rent on a commercial operation running on College property is considered a financial subsidy which undermines the College’s charitable status. Donors to the College have complained that their money could be contributing to cheap alcohol.

However, students fear that the proposals are simply a means of moving the bar into professional service. At an Open Meeting on Wednesday, one student said, “Putting up the prices at the bar won’t make any significant contribution to a subsidy of over £20,000. It just seems as if you’re trying to mother us.” Another exclaimed, “Surely charging rent of £21,000 is just signing the death warrant of the bar!”

Other students were concerned that raising the bar prices would simply force students to find cheap drink elsewhere. One student raised this issue, saying, “There is a real risk of forcing people from the bar to buy cheap alcohol at Sainsburys. So you’re forcing people from a controlled social atmosphere to drink on their own or in the TV room.”

Another said that students “would be compelled to wander around town. I genuinely think there would be more incidents of students finding themselves in bad situations.”

Speaking to Varsity, Sidney Bar Secretary Rosalie Tostevin said, “The student body is unhappy with the way the Council has handled this matter. The main issue is looking at the future of the bar. They say ‘do what we want or we will take the bar away’ – which is just enforced management.”

Freddie Iron said, “We’re making sensible decisions on pricing. Prices should increase but nowhere near to the extent suggested. This year the bar committee has made a lot of effort to remain within licensing laws.”

Assistant Finance Manager Natalie Catherwood added: “It’s worth remembering that the College Council did approve our prices at the beginning of term.”

But Fellows have remained confident that an agreement can be reached with the student body.Speaking to Varsity, Director of Music Dr David Skinner said, “The fellowship at Sidney recognises that the student-run bar is something which many students here value very highly indeed. What we have to do as a community is take the measures which will secure its future as a pleasant place for sociable, affordable, and responsible drinking.

“The conversation which has opened up between Senior and Junior Members about how best to do this is vigorous and lively – it would be a poor community which couldn’t manage this and still retain basically good relations.”

JCR President Lydia Green said the issue had not eroded respect toward College fellows, telling Varsity, “The excellent relationship between Senior and Junior members has always been something we’re all very proud of at Sidney, and I’m certainly hopeful ... that we can come to a conclusion that suits everyone.”