First university-owned Wetherspoon pub in UK to open at Surrey in May

Students and staff at the University of Surrey will be able to order breakfast from £4.99 and a burger with a drink for under £10 when the UK’s first university-owned Wetherspoon franchise opens at its Stag Hill campus this spring.

The brand-new Sir Ronald Wates pub will open in May 2026. The pub, which will be located at the refurbished Wates House building, will offer Wetherspoon’s full all-day menu, with mobile app ordering and table service.

While student unions at Hull and Newcastle run Wetherspoon pubs, Surrey will be the first UK university to own and operate a franchise under this model. The partnership gives the University access to Wetherspoon’s supply chain and operational systems whilst maintaining full control of staffing, licensing and premises management.

We wanted to give our community a pub-style venue that could offer genuine value for money alongside quality. Wetherspoon’s model means students can get a full breakfast for less than five pounds. The Wetherspoon franchise gives us their pricing power and supply chain efficiency whilst allowing us to offer a great experience for our students and staff. Will Davies, Chief Operating Officer

The venue takes its name from Sir Ronald Wates, whose family funded the original building. The Wates family gave permission for the pub to carry his name, continuing their long association with the University.

The pub will be open to students, staff, visitors and the local community, adding to Surrey’s existing campus food outlets including Hillside Food Court and The Hideout.

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. John Hutson, Wetherspoon’s Chief Executive

The existing Wates House bar closed in December for refurbishment. Staff working in the venue have been retained and will receive full training on Wetherspoon’s operational procedures ahead of the opening.

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Will Davies

Chief Operating Officer

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