Located on the University of Birmingham campus, Joe’s will be the official students’ union bar at the Guild of Students and will be open to students and members of the public.
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The pub takes its name from the landmark at the heart of the University of Birmingham, the Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower, named after the university’s first chancellor.
A full refurbishment has been carried out at the site, including knocking through into the adjoining Mermaid bar to create one pub.
New interior
The renovation also included a new bar and drinks dispense system, allowing for a new produce range, as well as a new kitchen with gantry, enabling the pub to offer the full Wetherspoon menu.
New interior including fixtures, fittings and artwork have also been introduced.
Joe’s will continue to be run and managed by the Guild, however. The partnership will allow the Guild access to the business model implemented by Wetherspoon at its pubs across the UK.
Staff working in Joe’s will continue to be employed and managed by the Guild of Students.
JDW 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 a great success”.
Greater access
The University of Birmingham Guild of Students Activities & Employability Officer, Emeline Brown, added the partnership offered students greater access to affordable food and drink, alongside increased employment opportunities.
Earlier this month, the pub giant reported continued sales growth with a focus on expanding its estate.
Like-for-like sales increased by 3.4% in the 13 weeks to 26 April, with year-to-date growth at 4.3%. Total sales rose by 4.1% in the quarter and 4.9% year to date.
The group has also opened eight pubs and sold eight in the year to date, with a further 13 franchised openings. It now operates 794 managed pubs, alongside 21 franchised sites.
Other new openings planned for later this year include sites at Heathrow Terminal 2 Airside, Surrey University and further venues at Barcelona Airport, after it opened its first overseas pub there earlier this year.
