King’s student Jess Lau is leading a campaign, with support from Kings4Change, against the student union’s policy that bans students from consuming external food and drink in the café.
Roar spoke with Jess about their inspiration for starting the campaign. They began it after some friends mentioned that Guy’s Café staff had asked them to leave because they had brought their own boxed lunch inside.
Jess points out that King’s College London Student Union (KCLSU) is a “not-for-profit organisation for the students”. Therefore, they should not limit access to “only paying students”.
The policy reduces spaces available for students to sit, eat and socialise. This is especially disruptive as the weather gets colder.
The campaign has set up a petition with the subsequent goal of sending an open letter to KCLSU and the Guy’s Cafe team. The petition has surpassed its goal of 200 signatures, with the number currently standing at 379.
The petition description highlights that “struggling students who have brought food from home… are deprived of another space to sit”.
The restriction has been in place since September 2024. Before this, KCLSU say that “many people… were using the space to eat meals bought from nearby businesses”. This led to “several complaints and… a drop in income”.
KCLSU asserts that, due to the change, paying customers “always have a place to sit and enjoy their food.”
KCLSU also defend their decision by highlighting its financial benefits. They emphasise that “any profits made by KCLSU’s cafés and bars go straight back into supporting our charitable objectives — helping to enhance students’ experience at King’s. This policy plays a direct role in making that possible.”
In contrast to Jess’s friends’ personal experiences, KCLSU told Roar that “students are still very welcome to bring and eat their own packed lunches in these spaces, and microwaves are available on site for anyone who wants to heat up their food. The only restriction is on food purchased from external businesses.”
However, this is not clear on the signage in the café, which states: “Seating space is used for anyone purchasing from Guy’s Café, Guy’s Hut & Guy’s Bar.”
KCLSU have said that they will update their signage to make “this policy clearer for everyone.”
At present, no such restrictions exist for The Shack or The Vault. KCLSU say that the policy only applies to the venues on Guy’s Campus, “as these spaces are open to the public.”
Kings4Change have shown support for the campaign on their Instagram. They hope to spread awareness and use their platform to help in the campaign’s contact with Guy’s Cafe. Both Jess and Kings4Change encourage people to sign the petition to help those who are struggling.
Jess summarises the campaign in one key statement:
“Profits pushing students out: SU’s ‘not-for-profit’ cafe wants you to pay for your stay.”
Sign the petition here.
To read more about campaigns at KCL, click here.
