First-of-its-kind Wetherspoon pub weeks away from opening

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Your help makes all of the distinction. Learn extra The UK’s first university-owned Wetherspoons pub is ready to open in Could. Named the Sir Ronald Wates, the brand new bar shall be situated on the College of Surrey’s Guildford campus.

In contrast to current Wetherspoons at Newcastle (Luther’s Bar) and Hull (Sanctuary Bar), that are scholar union-run, this shall be university-managed.

The College of Birmingham’s Guild of College students can also be planning a Could opening for its personal department.

Below the mannequin, Surrey College will set staffing, costs, and licensing, with the pub chain offering franchisor steering.

College of Surrey chief working officer Will Davies mentioned: “We wished to offer our neighborhood a pub-style venue that would supply real worth for cash alongside high quality.

“Wetherspoons’ mannequin means college students can get a full breakfast for lower than £5. The Wetherspoon franchise offers us their pricing energy and provide chain effectivity while permitting us to supply an incredible expertise for our college students and employees.”

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/18/18/05/wetherspoons-pub-surrey-2.png" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/18/18/05/wetherspoons-pub-surrey-2.png?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/18/18/05/wetherspoons-pub-surrey-2.png?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="The brand-new Sir Ronald Wates pub at the University of Surrey campus will open in May 2026" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

The brand-new Sir Ronald Wates pub on the College of Surrey campus will open in Could 2026 (College of Surrey) The brand new pub can even be open to the area people in addition to college students and employees.

It would function within the Wates Home constructing on the campus, and takes its identify from a constructing agency boss whose household funded the unique constructing.

Workers working within the Wates Home bar that closed in December for refurbishment have been retained, the college mentioned.

John Hutson, Wetherspoons’ chief govt, mentioned: “We're delighted {that a} Wetherspoon pub is to open on the College of Surrey.

“We're assured that it's going to show widespread with college students in addition to members of the general public and be an incredible addition for the college.”

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/18/18/44/wetherspoons-pub-surrey.png" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/18/18/44/wetherspoons-pub-surrey.png?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/18/18/44/wetherspoons-pub-surrey.png?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="The Wetherspoons model means that staffing, prices and licensing will be set by the University of Surrey, while the budget pub chain will provide guidance as the franchisor." class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

The Wetherspoons mannequin signifies that staffing, costs and licensing shall be set by the College of Surrey, whereas the finances pub chain will present steering because the franchisor. (College of Surrey) The information comes because the British pub chain just lately opened its first mainland European institution at Alicante airport in Spain.

The pub, named the Castell de Santa Barbera, is located within the departures space and goals to supply UK holidaymakers a style of Britain earlier than their journey dwelling.

Buying and selling seven days per week from 6am to 9pm, Alicante’s menu will embrace many meals obtainable in Wetherspoon pubs within the UK, akin to breakfast dishes, burgers and pizzas, however can even supply particular dishes impressed by the native space, like garlic prawns, Spanish omelettes and damaged eggs.