Newcastle University Students' Union bar to run under Wetherspoon partnership

Pub giant Wetherspoon has partnered with Newcastle University Students' Union in a move that is expected to create 70 jobs.

The Student Union bar, Luther’s Bar, will continue to be run and managed by Newcastle University Students’ Union but the deal will mean the Union can access the business model that Wetherspoon uses to run its pubs across the country. Starting from next week, Luther's Bar, which employs 30 people, will open from 8am as part of the new operation.

It is only the second deal of its kind for the national chain on a university campus, the first being at Hull University’s Sanctuary Bar, which opened in January 2022. Under the arrangement, Luther's will deliver a wider food and drink offer.

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Announcing the move, Wetherspoon said it would support the Union's objectives to offer services and skills development to students. Luther's currently employs 30 people and now, with the introduction of the new refurbishment and catering offer, it is expected that 70 roles will be created, all of which will be suitable for students. Staff will continue to be employed and managed by the Students’ Union but will undergo the same training and induction as Wetherspoon staff.

Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said: "We are delighted to have entered into this partnership with the Students’ Union and look forward to working with them to make Luther’s Bar a great success."

Newcastle University Students’ Union president, Shah Yaseen Ali, added: "Through our partnership with Wetherspoon, our students will benefit not only from their value for money food and drink offering, but also the expansion of job opportunities within the bar.

"These will be welcomed by many of our students impacted by the current cost of living crisis. The partnership will also strengthen our commercial endeavours and enhance the overall student experience. Being only the second Students’ Union to partner with Wetherspoon illustrates our commitment to enhancing our student’s experience."

Next week, Wetherspoon will launch its annual price cut across food and drink in a bid to make the case for a permanent VAT reduction across the hospitality industry. On September 14 - to mark Tax Equality Day - prices will be lowered 7.5%.