EUSA launches probe into alleged Big Cheese bribery

Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) have launched an investigation following a complaint that door staff were accepting bribes in return for queue jumps at the popular 'Big Cheese' club night.

The alleged incidents occurred on Saturday 23 January when the Potterrow venue hit capacity and the door staff implemented a ‘one in one out’ system.

An Edinburgh student, who wished to remain anonymous as he is a key witness in the investigation, spoke to The Journal:

“We arrived in the queue about 1am where one in one out was still ongoing. Although annoying, this policy as far as I'm aware is to ensure the safety of students, which is why I was surprised to see door staff overruling this policy in return for cash, on several occasions.

“On seeing this, we decided to challenge the bouncers, who were more than prepared to offer us queue jump and a personal escort to the door in return for £10 each.

"Asking if he was serious, the member of the door staff said that it happened ‘in clubs all over the city’ and proudly added that ‘in fact, I started the policy myself' - as he munched on his hamburger.

“At this point, another group approached the guy from the back of the queue, handed over cash—no secrecy required—and were shown straight in."

"In his absence, I asked a female member of the door staff if she'd be happy to take money just out of interest, to which she responded 'Give me a tenner and good things will come your way'. In addition, I saw ‘gold card’ holders being turned down.”

This incident came in the same week that it was revealed Potterrow and Teviot have defied national trends and enjoyed record profits.

The anonymous student continued: “I think it’s disgusting that this kind of practice is taking place under the noses of students. Overriding the one in one out for cash seriously undermines not only the safety concerns which are used to justify it, but also the trust of students who wait for often over an hour for entry into the union.

“It appears in this case that the interests of students are secondary to staff lining their pockets at the expense of students. Not quite the image of student democracy that EUSA is only too happy to pride itself upon.”

EUSA President Thomas Graham told The Journal: “The bouncers we employ are from an external company called 'Option 1'. We have passed on the complaint to the senior manager for trading and estates, Sam Mason, who will investigate the matter.”

Our source concluded: “I have emailed EUSA since, who have assured me that a full investigation on the matter will be taking place.

"Obviously, this is an internal matter for EUSA to deal with itself, and all we can do as students is alert them to such issues. I only hope that EUSA is prepared to act swiftly, otherwise students will continue to suffer for those who are prepared to pay well over the odds for a slice of the Big Cheese!”