Prices in the Students’ Union have increased after facing a cost price spike over the past three years.
Since 2020, meal deal prices in the Students’ Union ‘Our Shop’ have gone up as much as £1 and pints in Bar One have risen by up to 80p.
Anna Campbell, the Activities and Development Officer at the Students’ Union, said cost price increases have forced the SU to increase retail prices across their outlets, but they are constantly trying to negotiate improved deals with suppliers.
She added: “It’s tricky, but we do what we can to balance offering good value with generating money to reinvest. Every penny spent in our outlets funds support, activity, and facilities for students.”
Our Shop’s Tiffin meal deal now costs £4.50 instead of its previous £3.50 price tag, and their ‘Sandwich King’ meal deal has gone up from £3.00 to £3.50.
The Bakery Deal, which includes a hot drink and pastry, has increased from £2.00 to £3.00.
Richard Wain, the outlet manager of Our Shop, said the store has “worked hard” to keep prices the same where possible but has been “forced” to raise some due to these cost price increases.
He added: “It’s a fine balancing act between trying to offer value for students and maintaining a margin to enable the budgeted bottom line contribution back into the SU.”
Since 2020, ‘Our Shop’ has had the cost price of their sandwiches go up by as much as 31 percent. The average cost price of milk has gone up by 77%.
The price of drinks in Bar One have also increased since 2020, some as much as £1 a pint, yet some are cheaper than in years.
For example, Rosie’s Raspberry Cider has been replaced by Liley’s Mango cider which is £1 more expensive.
Strongbow Dark Fruits has been replaced by Thatcher’s Fusion, which is 80p more expensive, and Bottled Peroni has also increased by 50p.
Guinness, Carling, Black and Gold Ale, and bottled Kopparberg, are also now all 50p more expensive.
However, BrewDog Punk IPA has been replaced by BrewDog Wingman IPA, which is 75p cheaper – and Orchard Thieves has been replaced by Thatcher’s Gold, with a saving of 70p.
The price of Amstel in Bar One has even gone down by a penny since 2020, from £3.00 to £2.99.
Image Credits: The University of Sheffield
