Scenes like this will be repeated less often at 53 Degrees

Regular Thursday clubnights at 53 Degrees are a thing of the past following the end Vodka Nationwide’s involvement with the venue.

The decision came following a semester of the events which replaced the Students’ Union’s (SU) event, Promo, which ceased in May 2011.

However poor attendances has seen weekly clubnights been pulled from the 53 Degrees schedule.

Organisers, Taking Liberties, is responsible for the Vodka Nationwide brand.

Managing Director of Taking Liberties, Jim Albentosa said: “After some great initial parties over Fresher’s week the attendance numbers dropped in favour of the established events at Squires and Lava.

“As neither party (Taking Liberties and 53 Degrees) was profiting from the event, we mutually decided to stop.

“The students at UCLan certainly know how to party so I’m sure we’ll be back in Preston for some more events soon.”

SU President, Reni Eddo-Lodge said the end of the arrangement mirrored a national trend.

“It protected the Union from the financial risk of running a Thursday club night in the current recession which has seen a national decline in nightclub and university event attendances.

“Often it is difficult to foresee what may or may not happen with an event, as it is becoming increasingly difficult to gage the desires of students, in an ever changing economic climate.”

“We believe that the problems associated with the weekly student club night as 53 Degrees are a lot more complex than just the event itself.

“On debriefing with Vodka Nationwide they felt that the key reasons for the closure of the event were: heavy drink discounting in the city centre bars had been a major issue, lack of feeder bars supporting 53 Degrees, less students going out less frequently and the growing trend of students wanting fewer bigger events.”

The SU is currently undertaking a survey to find out what students want from 53 Degrees.

However the venue will still be hosting irregular clubnights with other outside promoters throughout the rest of the academic year.

53 degrees is looking past the disappointment of Vodka Nationwide and is currently preparing to welcome one of the UK’s biggest parties this July; The Great Games Party of the UK Corporate Games.

(Audio by Hannah Breeze)