Wetherspoons to open new pub at university in West Midlands in joyous move for its students
Wetherspoons will soon be opening a new pub at a university in the West Midlands.
Pub operator JD Wetherspoon is to open its new pub at University of Birmingham in a move that will be very welcomed by the university’s students.
The new pub will open on Tuesday 26 May at 8am with an official ribbon cutting at 10am.
It comes after the company has entered into a partnership with University of Birmingham Guild of Students.
Located on the University of Birmingham campus, Joe’s is the official students’ union bar at the Guild of Students and will be open to students and members of the public.
Joe’s takes its name from the much-loved landmark at the heart of the University of Birmingham - the iconic Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower, named after the university’s first chancellor.
Known fondly as Old Joe and completed in the early 20th century, it is the tallest free-standing clock tower in the world.
To this day, Old Joe remains a symbol of the university and the city of Birmingham.
A full refurbishment and expansion of the premises, knocking through into the adjoining Mermaid bar to create one pub, has taken place.
Refurbishment works also include a new bar and drinks dispense system, allowing for a new produce range, as well as a new kitchen with gantry, enabling the pub to offer the full Wetherspoon menu.
The new look pub interior also includes new carpet, lighting, artwork and fixtures and fittings.
Joe’s will continue to be run and managed by the Guild, however, the partnership will allow the Guild access to the business model implemented by Wetherspoon at its pubs across the UK.
Staff working in Joe’s will continue to be employed and managed by the Guild of Students.
Wetherspoon’s chief executive, John Hutson, said: “We are delighted to have entered into the partnership with the Guild of Students and look forward to working with it to make Joe’s a great success”.
The University of Birmingham Guild of Students Activities & Employability Officer, Emeline Brown, added: “This exciting new partnership with J D Wetherspoon offers students greater access to affordable food and drink, alongside increased employment opportunities.
“We also look forward to welcoming members of the public, helping to create an even more vibrant and lively atmosphere within the Guild of Students.”
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