With sunlight disappearing at 4pm, essay deadlines approaching, and student loans evaporating faster than a VK at Sports Night, November is not for the weak of heart. But amidst the academic carnage and collective vitamin-D deficiency, the Guild has set its sights on a shining oasis in the distance. And, in true British fashion, that oasis is – of course – a Wetherspoons.

Yes, in case you somehow missed the flurry of emails and mildly panicked group chat messages, Joe’s Bar is entering a partnership with J D Wetherspoon, with a grand relaunch expected in Easter 2026 after an “extensive refurbishment”. Guild inside sources have confirmed that the new Joe’s will likely feature one of the company’s classic carpets, with their signature flooring designed specifically on a per-venue basis.

The announcement arrived wrapped in careful PR language, emphasising strategy, sustainability, and ‘value for money’. Although I am generally against franchising of independent stores, it may be the only way the UK can survive its ongoing pub crisis. With the UK on track to have one pub close per day, could this be the move for our local? 67% of surveyed students at the University agree with me. However, our Joe’s won’t be completely lost in the takeover. The ‘partnership’ will (hopefully) involve the best of the two, with Joe’s bingo, quiz, Sports Night, and Fab still taking place, with the added bonus of Spoons prices – still trapped in 2014. According to the Guild’s official line: 

“[This collaboration is] a strategic step towards ensuring the Guild remains financially sustainable, while continuing to offer students a safe, welcoming, and vibrant space to socialise in.”

Translation: the Guild’s commercial operations have been struggling for years, and a Wetherspoons injection might be the only thing standing between us and a world where Joe’s has to serve £5 pints to stay afloat.

For many students, especially in this cost-of-living crisis, that’s the real draw. Wetherspoon’s chief executive John Hutson framed it neatly in the press release: 

“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.” 

Meanwhile, the Guild President, Antonia Listrat, emphasised the student benefits: 

“Students will benefit from not only its value-for-money food and drinks offering, but also the expansion of job opportunities within the bar.” 

This last point matters more than most people realise – a huge proportion of Joe’s staff are students, and the partnership promises an increase in student roles, not a cut. This means more flexible jobs for students who already live on campus and don’t want to commute across Birmingham to find bar work – or from my experience – not being stuck in limbo for months, being aired by more Indeed listings than I want to reveal.

And, crucially, the money students make and the money the Guild earns both end up reinvested in student activities and societies – something Redbrick will be keeping their eye on, to make sure that we don’t have to fundraise for a third summer in a row, and for other societies’ sake. In other words, every cheap pint sold will (fingers crossed) be indirectly funding your society’s next craft session or the Guild’s next FAB headliner.

 

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