One of Trinity’s private food outlets – Gastro – is lying empty in the Hamilton. The three chains, run by catering firm Aramark, were unveiled last year with much hype.
The significant space, which sits alongside two other food outlets in the Hamilton, was opened as part of a growing move towards commercialisation in Trinity.
Gastro had seemed less popular among students than the other outlets. However, it remains unclear why Gastro closed and if anything will replace it. Trinity’s Commercial Director, Adrian Neilan, did not respond to a request for comment.
Trinity’s Catering Manager, Moira O’Brien, also did not respond to a request for comment.
Under the heading “Westland Eats”, Trinity has promoted Costa, Gastro and Freshii extensively to tourists and students over the last few months. Trinity’s catering staff are currently employed in the outlets, under the same pay and conditions they enjoyed in the previous Trinity-owned cafe.
Two years ago, the Hamilton Restaurant and the Westland Cafe were put out to tender. Aramark, which works with individual companies as consultants, installed the three food outlets, as well as a new seating area, in the space previously occupied by the Westland Cafe.
Last year, The University Times reported that Trinity’s Commercial Revenue had agreed to a five-year license agreement with Aramark. The agreement is subject to “regularly scheduled reviews”, O’Brien told The University Times at the time.
“With the closure of the Hamilton Restaurant, we were conscious of the need to provide alternative food choices in this busy part of College”, O’Brien said at the time.
A campaign calling for a boycott of Aramark-related outlets – activists condemn the company’s role in supplying direct provision centres – has struggled to get off the ground in recent months, despite a strong push from Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) against the much-criticised system.
