Following widespread backlash from the postgraduate/mature student community over proposals to close the former Scholars Bar (and turn it into a dedicated LGBTQ+ community space) over the summer, UEASU looked for alternative spaces to place a new private dedicated area for the postgraduates. 

The full-time SU Officers (FTOs) proposed this to be in the (now former) Media Centre as the supposed only suitable alternative SU run space appropriate for this. This left the two media groups (LiveWire and Concrete) occupying this space to be moved.

On July 31st, Concrete was presented with plans to move Concrete and LiveWire out of its current office space and into Bookable Rooms 7/8 and 9 adjacent to the former Media Centre. Concrete then discussed these plans with LiveWire a day later, on August 1st, before the SU officially approached the LiveWire committee with plans on August 5th. Both the LiveWire committee and others have highly criticised this delay in communication with the latter society.

Both societies agreed to compose a joint email to the SU objecting to the proposals due to the newly proposed office spaces perceived to be inappropriate for both groups’ needs, with LiveWire particularly affected, given the physical situation of their broadcast tower and purpose-built studios due to remain as separate rooms off of the former Media Centre. This large space was used for both groups to share and communicate, however, they argued, the proposals could lead to less of an incentive of collaboration.

In an official response to the joint email, the FTOs stated, “We’d firstly like to apologise for the way in which this has been communicated”, clarifying, “It was never our intention to leave anyone out of the decision-making process. We apologise for doing so and for the distress that this has caused. These changes are time-sensitive and we are having to act a lot faster than would be ideal for us all.” 

The response outlined that the proposed changes would have to go ahead despite both media groups’ collective and individual objections due to “the nature of the social, financial, and political pressures [the] SU is under [which] has pushed us to make big decisions and to make those decisions in a short time span”, adding, “This means that we are exploring every possible avenue to make our spaces work for the whole student body while maximising our use of the limited space and resources we have.”

After discussing this, Concrete and LiveWire formed individual responses due to the individual requirements of their office spaces. They both agreed that Concrete should request acquiring exclusive use of the former Bookable Room 7/8 – one room with an extendable divider – due to the production of a student newspaper being office-based and to retain square footage otherwise being lost.  LiveWire could thus have exclusive use of the former Bookable Room 9 for their office space and then enter the former Media Centre when they need to use their purpose-built studios.

Concrete responded to the Full Time Officers, stating, “Overall, we’re disappointed to lose the current Media Centre. However, ultimately, we accept that this change is now going ahead and wish to move forward in a positive manner for our society”·

The specific requirements for Concrete were agreed upon, and their move commenced in the first week of September while LiveWire continued negotiations.

Later in the week, LiveWire posted a now-deleted official statement via their Instagram from their committee publicly detailing their disputes with the Officer’s proposals and showcasing their alleged “unwillingness” to listen to LiveWire’s objections seriously.

In response to this statement, an official meeting was set up between the FTOs and LiveWire heads.  The LiveWire commitee then issued a “clarification statement regarding UEASU and the Media Centre” which stated, “We would like to share the following statement to apologise and to provide clarification on the situation.”

“As a journalistic organisation, we would never knowingly publish incorrect information. Our original statement was created using all the information we had been given at the time.”

“We would like to make clear that we are retaining our dedicated workspace [two purpose-built broadcast studios], although our office space will be relocated.”

The Concrete Co-Editors-in-Chief Fiona Hill and Jamie Bryson stated, “This September, we left the former Media Centre, which has been home to Concrete (and the wider Media Collective) since 2013. Concrete has had many great experiences and memories in this space, and we will look back on them fondly. Having begun discussions with the SU and Livewire regarding this space back in late July, we now find ourselves in a new dedicated office space (in the former Bookable Room 7/8 on Floor 1 of the Hive), which we have been busy decorating and adjusting to our team’s needs over the past couple of weeks. We have also tried to make it as appealing and visible as possible to the wider student community. Having settled, we look forward to creating many new and positive memories in this next chapter of Concrete’s 32-year existence. We also look forward to continuing our cooperative relationship with Livewire.” 

The LiveWire committee was contacted for comment, but they declined.

Image Credit: Jamie Bryson/Concrete