Financial struggles have forced a student union to call last orders on its bar and shop at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) Farnham.

The UCA Student Union (UCASU) is making significant changes to its operations in Farnham that include the immediate closure of the bar in The Canteen and its shop, The Workshop.

The SU said the decisions had been made following a review of its commercial services, which have been operating at a financial loss, and the ending of two-year funding from the UCA for commercial services.

The union said continuing to absorb the losses could threaten its ability to provide its core services of student representation and support.

They added the Workshop had provided a useful service but was no longer generating enough income to cover its costs, with plans being explored turn it into a student-led space.

The changes will affect staff, including students previously employed to run the bar, with the SU speaking with affected workers.

A spokesperson for the Student Union said: “In both cases these are not decisions that we have taken lightly; however these were necessary steps to protect the SU’s ongoing ability to deliver essential representation and support for UCA students.

“We appreciate that these announcements will come as a disappointment to many of you.”

Charlie Skinner, former Student President of the SU in Farnham, accused the group of “undoing the efforts of himself and fellow past presidents.”

He added: “It's truly a shame to see as it seems like the University and Union are no longer what they used to be compared to when I was a student there.

“First the Professional Services Review and now this – it appears to me they've lost the passion for ensuring that the students enjoy their time studying at the university.”