University of Birmingham Guild of Students enters partnership with pub operator J D Wetherspoon.
The University of Birmingham’s Guild of Students has announced a new partnership with JD Wetherspoon to operate the Guild’s bar and restaurant, Joe’s.
Joe’s, named after the University of Birmingham’s iconic clock tower, will continue to be run and managed by the Guild of Students, with the partnership providing access to the business model implemented by Wetherspoon at its pubs across the UK.
Launching in Easter 2026 following an extensive refurbishment, the new-look Joe’s will deliver an enhanced food and drinks menu for the University of Birmingham’s student community, providing a range of high-quality dishes with a focus on affordable prices including popular weekly club deals, such as the Thursday Curry Club.
With the introduction of the new refurbishment and menu, it is expected that more roles will be created for students to earn money and develop skills while studying. Staff working in Joe’s Bar 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 Bar a great success”.
The University of Birmingham Guild of Students President, Antonia Listrat added: “Through our partnership with Wetherspoon, students will benefit from not only its value-for-money food and drinks offering, but also the expansion of job opportunities within the bar”.
“As a charity and the students’ union for over 36,000 students, any surplus we make gets invested back into supporting student activities. This partnership will strengthen our commercial endeavours to support a vibrant future for the Guild and enhance the overall student experience.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Take a look at some of our helpful frequently asked questions below.
Why has the Guild decided to open / partner with J D Wetherspoon?
In the current climate cost of living and value for money remain increasingly important to students, and through the partnership with J D Wetherspoon the Guild will be able to deliver better and improved value for money offers on our food and drink whilst maintaining high quality, which could not be achieved through other means.
Like many other students' unions, the Guild has faced increasing financial challenges over the last few years in its commercial activities and licenced trade. In response to commercial challenges, the Trustee Board actioned the Guild to find solutions to address the shortfall in income and overall net contribution to fund the wider Guild services.
To help the Guild be more financially sustainable moving forward and to enable the Guild to be able to provide sector leading services, entering a partnership with J D Wetherspoon will help mitigate these challenges.
How was the decision made and by who?
As a result of confidentiality and the partnership process, it was not possible to consult with or seek further feedback from students on the partnership / development with JD Wetherspoon. The decision has been made by the Trustee Board, including members of the Officer Team.
The Guild does however have extensive feedback from students, in which initiatives to support cost of living and value for money have been identified by as priorities for the Guild to focus on.
How will Joe’s operate as a Wetherspoon and what will be the main changes?
The main changes will be the opening hours of Joe’s, which will be from 8.00am until midnight, 7 days a week - with food served from 8.30am until 11.00pm.
Joe’s will be open for 50 weeks a year and will remain open during the Easter and Summer vacation periods.
Joe’s will also be open to members of the public. Guild events taking place in Wetherspoon @ Joe’s (such as Sport Night) will remain only open to students.
Will the menu change / what will the menu be?
Joe's Bar will be offering the full J D Wetherspoon food and drink menus, which provide excellent value and quality. Joe's Bar will be also providing all the normal J D Wetherspoon daily deals.