The Student Committee Meeting was a huge success, and your feedback is helping us make the Welcome Fair even better. Here’s what you said and how we’re acting on it.
You Said We Should Stop:
Stamps for entry
The stamp system wasn’t working - fair enough! Next year, committee members will get wristbands instead to make entry smoother and easier to manage.
Congestion inside the venue
Some areas felt crowded, and we hear you. We’ll keep adjusting stall layouts to reduce bottlenecks and explore more use of outdoor space to ease pressure inside.
You Said We Should Start:
Food and drinks for committee members
You power the fair, so we’ll make sure you’re fuelled too. There’ll be a tea, coffee, and light snack station near the HUB for all stall holders.
Set-up time the day before
This one’s already sorted - groups will have a window the day before to set up or drop off items.
Set-up equipment (£5–£15)
Groups can apply to the Development Fund (from 1 August, pending budget approval) to help cover any small set-up costs.
You Said We Should Continue:
Filling both days equally
We agree both days should feel lively. Stalls will continue to be allocated based on space, with the aim of keeping each day full and buzzing.
Keeping the one-way system
Good news! You loved it, and it works. The one-way system will stay to keep everything moving smoothly.
DSU social media coverage
We’ll keep sharing as much Welcome Fair content as possible. We also love your posts, so keep tagging us!
Clearer and earlier communication
Things felt clearer this year, but we know early info makes planning easier. Our goal is to release key details once by-elections and committee training are finished - aiming for late May.
What We’re Still Working On
Some of your ideas were fantastic but a bit complex to deliver right now. Here’s how we’re approaching the trickier suggestions:
More committee members at stalls
We still can’t increase the official limit due to capacity and safety rules, but we’re looking at ways for groups to have extra support outside the main fair space.
A full stall map or detailed directions
Stall allocations often change up until the event, making accurate maps hard to produce. Instead, we’re exploring a simple student guide with a rough layout, full group list or QR code, and clearer signage. Printed guides would need finalising by early summer, so late changes wouldn’t appear.
Clearer communication around freebies
Freebies are up to each group, but we recognise the need for clarity. We’ll include more guidance in committee training to help groups make thoughtful, inclusive choices and communicate them well.
Grouping societies into categories
We’ve tested this before, and data shows it reduces engagement - students skip whole sections they assume aren’t for them. An independent review for Sept 25 also advised against it, so we’ll continue with mixed layouts to encourage exploration.
We’re really grateful for all the feedback - your insight genuinely shapes the experience for thousands of students. Here’s to an even bigger, better Welcome Fair next year!!