Fresh Fridays have left the Students’ Union in favour of Jabez Clegg after just one semester, The Mancunion has learned.
A breakdown in relations with Rough Hill, the clubnight company they shared the event with, was the reason for their departure, a Fresh Fridays spokesperson confirmed.
They will now reportedly merge with The BOP, the popular student night geared towards first years and run by Social Junkies.
Rough Hill’s night Supersonic Vague, which ran alongside Fresh Fridays at the Students’ Union, will continue next semester.
Fresh Fridays switched to the Union from the now-closed Twisted in Fallowfield at the beginning of the year. But they complained that as an established night in Manchester, Rough Hill were financially benefiting from their success.
The Fresh Fridays spokesperson added that the Union did try and help the situation, but ultimately “did not do enough.”
They issued a parting shot at Supersonic Vague, claiming it did not “reach out into the student community.”
The news will be disappointing for the Union, who were enjoying early success with their first regular clubnight.
In an additional blow, Fresh Fridays will now be in direct competition with Supersonic Vague, with both nights restarting on Friday 25th January.
A spokesperson for the Students’ Union said, “Fresh Fridays had an agreement with Rough Hill’s Supersonic Vague to run a room during the first term, but there was no requirement to continue after Christmas.
“Fresh Fridays are currently planning a new venture and the Students’ Union would like to wish them the best of luck with their new enterprise.”
Fresh Fridays took the decision reluctantly, stating that as Manchester graduates they had “appreciated being offered the chance to put Fresh Fridays on at the Union.”
The Students’ Union told The Mancunion Supersonic Vague will return with a new hip-hop room, and see appearances from Bloc Party, Chase and Status and DJ Stoxx.
Fresh Fridays are now hoping to draw a line under the issue. “We just want to move on and put the past academic term behind us.”
