We the undersigned call on the LSE administration to reconsider plans to convert the LSE Beaver's Retreat Pub into a coffee bar.

We believe that the loss of the Beaver's Retreat would mean the loss of one of the only places in LSE where students and academics can get together and enjoy a quiet drink and discussion.

The Beaver's Retreat is, contrary to some claims, genuinely well used - mostly during the evening. The reason it doesn't have many customers during the daytime is that it is not open! Refurbishment plans could perhaps take this into account and allow the bar to open during the day selling soft drinks and, of course, coffee (and tea!).

The Beaver's Retreat opened 32 years ago, and is part of LSE's history. The LSE campus already has a good number of coffee bars, and we feel that creating another one is simply not necessary. The Beaver's Retreat fills a niche which will remain unmet if it is closed - the George IV pub is always extremely busy, and will not be able to cope with the extra demand which closing the Beaver's Retreat will create.

We sincerely hope that the LSE administration will realise how well-loved the Beaver's Retreat is, and hence reconsider its plans.