Sidney Sussex College has bought both Vinyl and Waterstones, in a purchase which the College Master called “exciting”.

Vinyl and Waterstones, which both occupy the same building on Sidney Street, will continue to occupy the space for the “forseeable future,” but may eventually be used for “new and improved accommodation, maybe a new Library, Study and Archives Centre, a lecture theatre/concert venue/performance space” for the College.

Professor Martin Burton, the College Master, said that he was “looking forward to this new acquisition becoming a tool to allow us to further our vision” of “academic excellence”.

Waterstones and Vinyl occupy the only building directly next to the College site. According to emails seen by Varsity, Sidney Sussex has been offered the opportunity to buy the building multiple times, before agreeing to the purchase last year.

Vinyl has been a staple of Cambridge nightlife since the club opened in 2018. Its light-up dance floor is hidden under Waterstones, making the dual purchase possible.

The club, which once hosted Cambridge’s most popular queer club night, Glitterbomb, has had a difficult history, including allegations of discrimination and a University-wide boycott.

Sidney Sussex has also been the subject of scandals in recent years – largely relating to access for disabled students. In 2023, Varsity revealed that the college was in breach of The Equality Act on several counts regarding its treatment of disabled students.

Earlier this year, a disabled student at Sidney Sussex claimed the College failed to provide housing suitable to their needs, and was forced into private accommodation.

Sidney Sussex College was contacted for comment.