Cardiff Students’ Union has secured a licence to serve alcohol until 4am.
This means that students could drink in Solus, the Taf, CF10, the postgraduate bar and the games room for up to 16 hours at a time.
Mike Carson, from Cardiff Police Licensing deparment said: “If the Union wanted to they could open until 4am every night.”
However, although the building has been granted this late licence, the Union have said that they will not automatically extend the opening times for weekly events such as Come Play and Rubber Duck.
Instead, the licence will be used predominately for special events.
General Manager of the Union and Licensee Jason Dunlop said: “It is not our intention to open until 4am every day. Not yet anyway.”
Initially there were fears that local residents would oppose the licence extension, but during the 28-day objection period, no complaints were made.
PC Carson said: “I was quite surprised because over the years there have been a number of complaints about disturbances outside the Union.”
gair rhydd spoke to a number of residents who will be affected by the licence, but found that none of them objected to it.
Anne Lane of Cathays said: “I’ve got students living all around me and I don’t have any problems. “It won’t bother me”.
Victor Wheeler, also from Cathays, echoed this sentiment: “The licence shouldn’t really affect me.
“Anyway, there was more trouble around here four years ago than there is now.”
However, Mr Carson has made it clear that if the police receive complaints in the future, the extended licence could be revoked.
He said: “If there are major problems then the hours the Union can serve alcohol will be reduced.”
He also stressed how important it will be for students to behave responsibly around closing time.
“It is up to the students whether this licence is kept or not.
“They have to minimise any disruption to the surrounding community.”
Fortunately, the location of the Union has made it easier to secure a late licence.
Mr Carson said: “Only half the building is surrounding by private housing, and most of the residents who live near the Union are students anyway.”
The negative effect that late drinking could have on local residents has been taken into consideration Cardiff’s licensing authority, who have put a number of conditions on the licence.
The Union have to ensure that students exit the building onto Park Place rather than onto Senghenydd Road.
Other conditions include the provision of plastic cups after 2am, an agreed ratio of door staff to Solus clubbers, use of digital CCTV and the provision of food.
Union General Manger Jason Dunlop said: “Most of these conditions are being implemented by Union bars already.”
