Students Anticipate New Wetherspoons Opening on Campus
University students have expressed enthusiasm ahead of the opening of a Wetherspoons pub located on the University of Surrey's campus in Guildford.
The establishment, named The Sir Ronald Wates, is the first Wetherspoons pub owned by a university in the UK and is scheduled to open on Tuesday.
Cameron Corrigan, a law student at the university, commented on the development, stating:
"It's probably the best thing to ever happen to the university."
Paediatric nursing student Chloe Richardson also shared her views, saying:
"It's great for uni students, we all struggle with money as well and it's cheap."
However, not all students are supportive; Ben Cutting expressed opposition to the new pub, remarking:
"I know they're very inclusive, but it just feels like: 'Is this what we've settled for?'"
The operational model for the pub involves the University of Surrey managing staffing, pricing, and licensing, while Wetherspoons provides franchisor guidance.
Corrigan suggested the new pub might influence nightlife in Guildford but encouraged local venues to reduce their prices to remain competitive.
"They are far too expensive for anyone to actually go out and have a good night without staring at your bank account every two seconds,"
"So this is a great alternative."
The site is on the University of Surrey's Guildford campus
Richardson acknowledged the potential impact on Guildford's business but anticipated that many students would gather at the Wetherspoons before heading into the town centre.
"We would probably still go into town anyway, so I don't think it's going to take us away from the nightlife in Guildford at all,"
Student Wilaed Ahmed described the new pub as potentially providing:
"A safe community for the students to be [in] within campus where they can enjoy their time together,"
rather than possibly causing disturbances in the city. Nonetheless, he expressed some concern about students potentially having:
"Too much fun."
Ahmed did not believe the pub would negatively affect trade in Guildford, noting:
"With all types of students, like anywhere in the country, you'll find some that will like the Wetherspoons, others will like their favourite pub in the city, [and] some will rather promote a local business and maybe live music within the high street,"
Ben Cutting reiterated his disapproval of the chain's presence on campus.
He questioned whether the town required two Wetherspoons locations and recounted a conversation with a local pub worker concerned about the new branch's impact on Guildford's trade.
"If you look at old pubs they are working class bases, they're the people's palaces, you've got these beautiful pubs in London and stuff,"
"Working class people have been priced out of normal pubs."
University of Surrey's chief operating officer, Will Davies, previously stated that the objective was to:
"Give our community a pub-style venue,"
while Wetherspoons' chief executive, John Hutson, described the opening as a:
"Great addition" for the university.
The pub is also accessible to non-students, including Wetherspoons enthusiast David Bingham from Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, who attended the inaugural pint on Tuesday.
"I've visited every open Wetherspoons in the country,"
"I love architecture and enjoy the fact the firm uses old buildings like former cinemas and tram depots, giving them a new purpose in life."
Railway worker Tom from Guildford noted that The Sir Ronald Wates represents the 470th Wetherspoons he has visited, while Daniel Oliver from Kingston is another patron who attends openings of new branches.
"I always try to be their very first customer - I like the challenge of beating the crowds,"
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