University sees red over rival gowns
THEY are the iconic red gowns worn by students at Scotland’s oldest university.
As well as graduation day, students wear them for chapel, formal dinners, meetings of the union debating society and the traditional pier walk each Sunday.
But cut-price versions of the ceremonial robes are at the centre of a legal dispute between St Andrews University and the firm selling them.
Churchill Gowns, which was founded in Australia in 2014, is offering ‘St Andrews’ gowns on its website for £99. The official version from the university shop costs £159.
Lawyers for St Andrews have accused Churchill of trying to ‘deceive the public’ by falsely claiming its products are endorsed by the university.
The firm’s representatives were issued with a cease-and-desist letter when they sold gowns during Freshers’ Week in September, but have continued to advertise them for sale.
The university has now raised an action at the Court of Session to prevent the sale of the products.
Churchill has been asked not to sell any university gowns or goods with the trademarks University of St Andrews or St Andrews and not to pass itself off as being associated with, endorsed by, or connected with ‘the university or its business’.
But Churchill Gowns said it would continue to advertise and sell the gowns to students.
UK managing director Oliver Adkins said: ‘Churchill Gowns was founded to offer students a more affordable and sustainable alternative to traditional academic dress suppliers. We believe participation in these ancient traditions should not be reserved for those who can afford to pay a premium, and should be open to all.
‘It’s a shame that the University of St Andrews are seeking to deny students this choice and have gone to such extreme lengths to protect the profits they make. We will strongly defend our right to compete in the marketplace and offer a more affordable option to students for whom a £160 price tag is out of reach.’
On the company’s online sales page, a disclaimer says: ‘Churchill Gowns is not affiliated with and does not represent this institution in any way.’
A spokesman for St Andrews University said: ‘The purpose of the cease-and-desist letter is to make clear the concerns of the university and its students.
‘In our view, it is not sufficient that a company states it is not affiliated with the university while it also claims gowns are made to university specifications.
‘This is a false endorsement, which we believe constitutes mis-selling of gowns to students.
‘Discussions with the company failed to reach agreement; therefore the action is necessary to protect the integrity of the official St Andrews gown, the university brand and the principle that gown sales help student support services.’
‘Affordable alternative’