By Dave Goosselink
One of Dunedin's best known student pubs, The Gardies, has been bought by the University of Otago – to close it down.
The well-known bar was put up for sale this month and a group of students was trying to get support to buy the business, but the university had other ideas.
It was like the funeral of a good friend this afternoon; regulars of The Gardies Tavern upset to learn the popular student bar is closing, after being bought by Otago University.
“Had a lot of great times here so it will be sad to see it go, sort of an end of an era down here,” says Tom McKnight, a Gardies regular.
The bar was put on the market this month, with a deadline of mid-April.
A "Save the Gardies" party on Monday attracted over 1,000 people, encouraging McKnight and his mates to come up with ways of buying it – a dream that's now been shattered.
“Pretty gutted really,” says Blake Luff, a Save the Gardies campaigner.
“We put in a bit of work in the last few days to get everything rolling.”
Otago University wouldn't be interviewed but confirmed it had bought the building and had no intention of keeping it going as a pub.
Critics claim the university's on a mission to try and stamp out student drinking.
It bought The Bowler last year, turning it into lecture theatres, and has supported attempts to cancel The Cook's license.
Students say the university is wrong, and needs to "get over it".
Ollie salt / 1st year r-l
“They think that closing Gardies is going to cut down on student drinking, but more drinking's just going to take place out on the road and in public places,” says first year student Ollie Salt.
“Gardies is Dunedin,” says second year student Sam Timbs. “I mean you come here with the lads, just have a few drinks.”
Former Otago rugby stalwart Josh Kronfeld agrees it’s a huge loss.
“It's an icon, it's part of Dunedin, it's part of Otago University,” Kronfield says. “Why would you want to close down something that everybody recognises and wants to go to?”
Fans warn it's one less reason for students to choose Otago for their university studies.
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