The QUT Guild-managed General Store in C-Block on Kelvin Grove campus will close down next week, with an EzyMart rumoured to be taking over the space.
The University have not officially confirmed which retailer was awarded the contract, however at a Guild student council meeting earlier in the year, the Student Representative Council were told by a member of QUT Council that EzyMart was the likely candidate.
The current lease originally ended on 30th November 2023, and the General Store has been operating on an extension since this time.
The Guild was one of the retailers who bid for the space and was unsuccessful in securing a new lease.
Earlier in the year, a spokesperson from the University stated that the contract was taken to the market.
“QUT took the provision of services to the open market to ensure we delivered the best experience for our students. The Guild was included in this process,” the spokesperson said.
A spokesperson from the Guild said they have been proactive in exploring internal and external employment opportunities for the staff who have been affected by the closure of the General Store.
“Ensuring the wellbeing of our team has been, and continues to be, our highest priority throughout this process,” the Guild spokesperson said.
The Post Office will continue to operate under Guild management for the time being.
This comes as another blow to the Student Guild, after losing the graduation gowns hiring contract in Semester One this year.
Glass has confirmed that for-profit company, GFP Events, was chosen as the new vendor to provide gowning services and will be providing a full range of services for students, including registration, ticketing, check-in, gowning, photography, correspondence, and seating.
The leases for the Guild-run Botanic and Grove bars are also due to expire in November of this year.
The bars provide event spaces that can be hired for free by any student during normal operating hours and has been host to hundreds of student-run club and society events over the years.
As a non-profit business, any money made through the bars is invested back into maintaining and running the spaces, as well as continuing to support other ventures of the Student Guild.
A Guild spokesperson said the commercial team are in the planning stages for 2025 and are focused on supporting the QUT student arts community.
“Our focus will be on providing enriching and inclusive engagement opportunities for students, with emphasis on creative arts, live music and supporting student artists.
“Watch this space.”
