Wetherspoon has revealed intentions to establish a new pub on a university campus. The renowned pub chain will manage Joe’s at the University of Birmingham through a fresh collaboration. Named after the university’s clock tower, Joe’s will remain under the management of the Guild of Students.
Scheduled for an Easter 2026 opening after an extensive renovation, the new venue will offer the complete Wetherspoon food and beverage selection, including special weekly promotions like the Thursday Curry Club. Wetherspoon, boasting close to 800 pubs nationwide, introduced its first university pub at Hull University in 2022.
John Hutson, Wetherspoon’s CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with the Guild of Students, anticipating a prosperous future for Joe’s Bar. The President of the University of Birmingham Guild of Students, Antonia Listrat, highlighted the benefits for students, emphasizing the job opportunities expansion and financial support for student activities facilitated by the partnership.
Wetherspoon is set to unveil six additional pubs by mid-January. The announcement follows the recent launch of its Christmas menu, featuring the return of its popular turkey dinner. The festive feast includes turkey slices, stuffing, vegetables, pigs-in-blankets, cranberry sauce, and gravy, priced at £13.99 with a soft drink or £15.52 with an alcoholic beverage. The menu will be accessible until December 31.
Despite increased sales and profits, Tim Martin, Wetherspoon’s chairman, aims to limit price hikes, acknowledging the industry-wide challenges of rising taxes. Martin affirmed the company’s commitment to minimizing price adjustments in response to external factors affecting the pub sector.