Watch: Spacecraft engineering student from Milton Keynes among first to try UK's first university-owned Wetherspoons

PHD student Leuan Carney, 25, says he was thrilled when he found out that they were opening the chain on the University of Surrey's campus in Guildford as ‘it’s a cheap place for students to socialise on a budget’.

The Sir Ronald Wates branch started serving at 8am with Leuan joining students ats the venue to celebrate - even though it is currently outside of term time. Leuan, who has been on campus for eight years, spent several hours at the pub, enjoying a sausage and egg breakfast muffin and several Pepsi Max Cherrys. He says he has spent £20 so far. "It is just nice to have somewhere to go, “ he said. "I am looking forward to going to breakfasts on a Friday and having somewhere open seven days a week quite reliably. "Now out of term time when there are still post-grad students on campus we still have somewhere to go and socialise on campus which is quite nice. "There is more seating, more atmosphere, it is cheaper, there is more variety of drinks and food. So, all in all it is a hugely positive experience. "Because we don't have to walk to town it sort of feels like it is ours in a way. "I think you might see a few more students who are more likely to come out now especially because of the locality of the new Spoons."

The pub is owned and operated by the University of Surrey underneath the Wetherspoons model. This grants the university access to Wetherspoons' supply chain and operational systems - while still maintaining control over staffing, licensing and premises management. It will be open to students and university staff as well as visitors and the local community, and will offer Wetherspoons' full all-day menu, with mobile app ordering and table service. Leuan added: "The town location serves a slightly different purpose from the one on campus. "I don't think it was really a majority of students that were in there anyway. You have got colleges and other universities around Guildford and those students will still likely go to town." The site was previously a student bar called Wates House, which then underwent a full refurbishment including a new bar, kitchen, and drinks dispenser system. The pub takes its name from Sir Ronald Wates (1907-86), whose family funded the original building, and gave permission for the pub to carry his name.