A line of colourful box files on a shelf.
Lost and Left Property

Lost Property 

Any lost property that is handed in or found by our staff is logged on the university's 'Not Lost' system and stored securely at the Union building for 8 weeks. This also applies to unclaimed items in the cloakroom. However, please note -  this does not apply to items that have been abandoned or left in various areas around the building (see Left Property Policy below). 

After the 8 week period, all items (other than cards/items with personal information) are donated to Transition University of St Andrews, to be processed sustainably.  

Please phone 01334 462700 or email union@ for more information. 

Abandoned Property Policy

Why We Have an Abandoned Property Policy 

Items left unattended around the Union building present a serious fire, trip, and safety risk. As a venue, we have a responsibility to prioritise the safety of all customers and visitors. Part of this responsibility is ensuring that no unattended belongings are left anywhere within the building. 

In addition, legislation relating to safety and security at large-scale events, including Martyn's Law, places greater emphasis on maintaining a safe environment and addressing potential risks. As a result, leaving personal property unattended in the Union is treated in the same way as any other breach of our rules. 

Why We're Changing Our Policy for 2026 

Unfortunately, despite introducing strict rules and a collection fee for abandoned items last year, we continue to see a significant number of students leaving their belongings around the building. 

We take the safety of our customers extremely seriously and have a legal obligation to comply with legislation designed to ensure events are delivered as safely as possible. These changes are intended to reduce safety risks, improve the overall event environment, and help us provide the best possible experience for everyone attending our events. 

How we implement the Policy:    

  • Any unattended property during our large-scale event nights will be picked up by our Customer Safety team and safely secured.  

  • Once all cloakroom items are picked up you will then be able to retrieve your property at the end of the night.     

  • From Saturday 5th September we will implement a £10 fine when you pick up your item.  

  • Please make use of our cloakroom – it is FREE during Freshers’ Week, the usual fee is £1 or it’s included in your Platinum, Grad or Uni Life Pass holders and this ensures the safety of any personal belongings.   

  • We will take a slightly different approach during our quieter nights, where there is no large-scale event and as a result no cloakroom, however, please avoid leaving items unattended for your own and others safety.  

  • Collection: If your property is not picked up on the night there will be a weekly slot to pick up abandoned items. This will be every Wednesday starting officially from Week 1 Wed 16th Sept. Between 19:00 - 21:00 from 601 foyer. 

  • Items that are not picked up will be stored for 8 weeks. 

  • After the 8 week period, all items (other than cards/items with personal information) are donated to Transition at the University, to be processed sustainably.  

We want to hear from you:    

If you have any ongoing concerns or feedback, please feel free to reach out to us. Email union@ or fill out our feedback form on our website.   Ultimately this is a safety issue, and we want to get this right for all our customers.    

Please note the above policy may be subject to change depending on operational requirements.  

This information is included in our attendee terms.