Cardiff SU backtracks after introducing controversial ticket charge for YOLO club night

Cardiff University Students’ Union has backtracked on a proposed club night ticket fee following backlash from students.

The popular sports night-out, YOLO, is famous for having an extremely long queue every Wednesday. In attempt to making queueing smoother, the SU recently proposed a trial of changes to queuing and ticketing, including a £2 fee and designated entry times 

In an Instagram statement issued last Sunday, Y Plas, a Cardiff University SU nightclub, said: “Due to demand, safety and your experience, YOLO will now have timed entry tickets. For the next couple YOLOs, tickets will go on sale the Monday before at 4 pm via Universe. You MUST arrive during your ticket time for them to be valid.”

It added: “The tickets are only £2 to keep YOLO as accessible as possible.”

Students quickly took to the comments to share their concerns about the fee and scheduled entry slots. One student wrote: “This is so ridiculous. ‘£2 to keep it more accessible’ but we are all students having to pay a tenner more a month.” 

Another commented: “‘For safety’ but now you know there’s the chance for people to be drunk queuing alone…” 

Following the backlash from students, Y Plas CU SU released a new statement on Monday 5th October which backtracked on the £2 charge so that the tickets remain free.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Y Plas, Cardiff SU (@yplascusu)

It said: “We’ve heard your feedback about the changes to YOLO. We’re sorry for introducing a charge and for not explaining the changes clearly enough.” 

In response to why the £2 charge was added in the first place, Y Plas CU SU claimed: “We thought a small charge would encourage people to book a slot they intended to use, reducing unused bookings and helping more students get in. The charge was not about generating additional income. The aim was to support the arrival system, but we understand your concerns about charging for a normally free-entry night.” 

However, some students are still displeased with the changes, which include entry slots of 7.30-8pm, 8-8.30pm, and 8.30-9pm.

One person argued: “The timed entry does not work for YOLO. Tickets sell out instantly. Clubs and societies go and it means some people having to go to yolo alone until the rest of their society shows up. It makes it less safe not to have people around to support you.”

Y Plas CU SU has said the new system will only be in place in the lead up to YOLOWEEN, its busiest period across the year.

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The first ticket drop using the new system took place yesterday at 4pm on Ticketmaster. Tickets reportedly sold out in under an hour.

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This world has gone mad #yolo #cardiffuni #studentunion #fyp #wtf

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There has also been concern about the prospect of students reselling their entry slot tickets online for a profit. Within minutes, numerous resellers emerged on Overheard at Cardiff University, a Cardiff-based Facebook group.

One student posted: “Whoever is selling yolo tickets for Wednesday just know I’m reporting you!!!! If I’m not going neither are you.”

Y Plas CU SU promptly posted on its Instagram Story, saying: “Ticket resellers… we see you. If you attempt to sell your ticket for profit, your ticket will be cancelled and future access to tickets removed.

“Don’t exploit your student community. Do not purchase scalped tickets from resellers.”

It followed up an hour later, announcing: “We have already cancelled tickets of some identified ticket scalpers. Do not scalp or purchase resell tickets. Giving tickets to friends/society for free is fine, but resale is not.” 

A Cardiff SU spokesperson told The Cardiff Tab: “We know how much YOLO means to students. We’ve listened, apologised and removed the £2 charge, as outlined in our updated statement. We’re grateful to the student community for making YOLO such a popular part of Cardiff student life.

“With that popularity comes a responsibility to manage demand safely. Student safety must always guide our decisions, including how we manage queues and entry. The timed-entry system, resulting from previous student feedback, is a trial during one of our busiest periods.

“We recognise the concerns about attending with friends, clubs and societies, and we’re collecting student feedback throughout the week. We’ll review the arrangements after each event, alongside attendance and queue performance, and clearly communicate any further changes.

“We have also cancelled tickets where we have identified people offering them for sale. These tickets are free, and we encourage students not to pay for them. Thank you to everyone who has shared their feedback. We want YOLO to remain a night students love, and we’ll continue listening as we work to make entry safer and smoother.”

Featured image via Google Maps

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