Athen is closing earlier at night

As of this term, the doors of Café Athen will be locked at 6 pm. The only hint of the new routines which will make Athen less accessible to students is a post-it note.

In 2004, the AF-borgen (the ’castle’ of Lund’s Academic Society, freely translated) was extensively rebuilt. For the first time in decades, students could visit the re-opened café, the Café Athen. The aim was to create an open meeting place in which to study and socialize. Tegnérs matsalar (the Tegnér restaurant) was delegated to run the café, even though some people on the board did express concern that prices would rise and opening hours be shortened. Now these fears have proved justified, as Café Athen has made the decision to close earlier.

Person in charge defends decision

However, the person in charge of Tegnérs matsalar, Sven Larsson, defends the decision to shorten opening hours.

– We are in an impossible situation. We have sustained heavy losses which amount to 350 000 SKR since the year of 2004 and we have to do something, he says.

”Decision necessary to keep student friendly prices”

Larsson argues that the reason for this change is that takings have been too small after 5 pm during evenings. According to him, the café is completely deserted some evenings, with just the staff walking about around the tables.

– It was necessary to shorten opening hours to save money. By shortening our opening hours we can afford to keep our student friendly prices on staple food commodities. It is a compromise which has been necessary to make.

One week’s notice is required

One of the consequences of the shortened opening hours is that there might not be a café at the events run by the AF-utskott (the AF committees). In accordance with the new order of things, all activities with an audience involved must be announced in advance if food and drinks are to be served. You have to be early; at least one week’s notice is required.

– I don’t think that there will be any major problems, Sven Larsson says. Initially, there might be some misunderstandings, but if it all goes according to plan, Café Athen will be open during these events, just as before.