By the Education Magazine | July 15, 2026
The Wetherspoons pub opens on Surrey campus as the University of Surrey officially opened The Sir Ronald Wates on Tuesday, July 14. The new venue is the first JD Wetherspoon pub in the UK to be directly owned and operated by a university, bringing the chain’s low-cost food and drink offering to the Stag Hill campus in Guildford.
Located in the refurbished Wates House building, the pub is open to students, university staff, visitors, and the wider Guildford community. The university says the partnership is designed to provide affordable dining while creating a new social hub on campus.
Why the Wetherspoons Pub Opens on Surrey Campus Is Significant
Unlike Wetherspoon venues operated through student unions at some universities, The Sir Ronald Wates is owned and managed by the University of Surrey under a franchise agreement with JD Wetherspoon.
The arrangement allows the university to use the company’s supply chain, menu, pricing, and operating systems while retaining responsibility for staffing, licensing, and day-to-day management.
The pub is named after Sir Ronald Wates, whose family funded the original Wates House building and has maintained a long association with the university. The Wates family approved the use of his name for the venue.
Refurbished Venue Replaces Former Student Bar
The new pub replaces the former Wates House Bar, which closed in December 2025 for redevelopment.
The refurbishment includes:
- A new bar and drinks dispense system
- A full commercial kitchen serving the complete Wetherspoon menu
- New lighting, artwork, furniture, and signage
- A bespoke carpet inspired by Surrey’s woodland heritage and the University of Surrey crest
- Indoor seating across a 5,500-square-foot venue and outdoor seating overlooking Guildford Cathedral
Customers can order from the full all-day menu using the Wetherspoon app or at the bar. As the Wetherspoon pub opens on Surrey campus, the refurbished venue now provides seating for around 330 customers across its indoor and outdoor areas.
Opening Hours of Wetherspoon pub
| Day | Opening | Closing |
| Monday to Thursday | 8:00 AM | Midnight |
| Friday and Saturday | 8:00 AM | 1:00 AM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM | Midnight |
Food is served daily from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and the venue remains open year-round, including university holidays.
University Says Venue Will Support Students
The University of Surrey says the partnership aims to provide students and staff with quality food and drink at affordable prices while helping to address the cost-of-living challenges many students face.
Will Davies, Chief Operating Officer at the University of Surrey, said:
“We’re delighted to confirm the official opening date for The Sir Ronald Wates, which will provide staff, students and the wider community with a high-quality, great-value food and drink offer. By drawing on JD Wetherspoon’s strong reputation and extensive supply chain, we’re confident this new addition will quickly become a popular social hub at the heart of our Stag Hill campus.“
Earlier, Davies said the partnership would allow students to buy a full breakfast for less than £5, helping them access lower-cost meals on campus.
John Hutson, Chief Executive of JD Wetherspoon, added:
“We are delighted that a Wetherspoon pub is to open at the University of Surrey. We are confident that it will prove popular with students as well as members of the public and be a great addition for the university.“
Students Welcome the New Addition
Even though the Wetherspoons pub opens on Surrey campus during the summer break, visitors and graduates were among the first to experience the new venue.
According to local reports, postgraduate student Ieuan Carney said the pub would make campus life more convenient by giving students another place to meet without travelling into Guildford town centre.
The opening also coincided with the university’s graduation ceremonies, bringing graduates and their families to the campus on launch day.
End Note
The opening of The Sir Ronald Wates marks a new partnership between higher education and the hospitality sector.
As the Wetherspoons pub opens on Surrey campus, other universities will be watching to see whether the university-owned franchise model can improve student facilities while keeping food and drink affordable.
