Summer 2026 saw some impactful changes for Cardiff University Students’ Union pub, previously known as ‘The Taf". Through a combination of aesthetic changes, internal updating, and even a name change, the SU’s efforts have been to make this space more inclusive and enjoyable for the student body.
But, with so many students to cater to, with a range of varying and often competing needs, will these updates be interpreted as beneficial by everyone?
A Students’ Union spokesperson told Gair Rhydd that they “regularly refresh and invest in our building to make sure it remains welcoming and fit for students”, claiming that this year their aim was to “update the Taf’s visual identity”.
When asked about the name change to the Welsh ‘Y Taf’, they stated that due to the SU’s bilingual policy, “this better reflects our commitment to increasing the visibility and everyday use of Cymraeg across the Students’ Union”.
Although they declined to comment on the cost of the renovations, they did state that “the most significant investment was in the toilets”, as “their condition had been raised with us by students over a number of years, and they [...] [required] frequent repairs and maintenance”.
As well as carrying out general maintenance on the toilets, arguably the biggest change to Y Taf is that the toilets are now all gender neutral with signs on the doors indicating whether the toilet contains urinals or not.
The spokesperson stated that “it is important to clarify that we have not made all toilets within the Students’ Union gender neutral. Across the building there is a mixture of toilets for all, single-sex provision and individual toilet cubicles”, and that the changes have been introduced “as a trial”.
They claim to have sought initial feedback from some unspecified student groups before the start of term, and said they plan to “gather wider feedback from students during the term and review how the provision is working before making any longer-term decisions”.
They urge students who want to share their views on this to contact the Sabbatical Officer team. The general perception among students that Gair Rhydd has contacted is that this is an impactful renovation that has improved the aesthetics of the venue, with some Welsh language students also stating that they felt the name change was more inclusive and made sense in line with the other SU venues, including the ‘Y Plas’ and Balconi.
The toilet changes have, however, provoked a more mixed student reaction. While all those spoken to acknowledged the improved inclusivity of gender neutral spaces, including those who identify as gender neutral who claimed the venue now feels more welcoming, some students have expressed anxiety over the lack of cameras for safety in the shared sink areas of the toilets.
Some female students stated that they would avoid using the toilet with the urinals as they found this to be “uncomfortable”.
Bar staff at ‘Y Taf’ have allegedly been given a suggested script to follow in case customers ask about the new gender neutral toilets, in an attempt, it seems, to ensure a correct and respectful response informing them about the new system.
While the bathroom spaces are still in their trial period, the changes seem to have been generally well received and well managed by the SU to avoid harm done to students and maximise student comfort.