'Iconic' newspaper office could become pub
A planning application has been submitted to transform the former Surrey Advertiser offices into a pub with gardens, parking and staff accommodation
A brewery has submitted plans to turn a former newspaper office in Guildford into a new pub with gardens, parking and staff flats.
Plans have been submitted to turn the old Surrey Advertiser offices on Woking Road into a new pub. The proposal includes a single-storey extension, a beer garden, and 69 parking spaces.
The site, known as Stoke Mill, was bought in May 2025 by McMullen and Sons, a brewery and pub company based in Hertfordshire. The building has been empty since the pandemic, when staff stopped working from the office.
McMullen’s proposal includes turning the fourth floor into staff accommodation, with two flats. The company says the pub would employ about 25 full-time and 40 part-time staff.
An outbuilding on the north-west of the site would be knocked down to make space for parking. The pub could open between 11.30am and 11pm, but this would depend on getting a licence from the council.
Jenny Strathern, Property Director at McMullen and Sons, said: “The acquisition marks a significant milestone for our company. Stoke Mill, previously used as offices by Reach Plc, is situated on a picturesque riverside plot, has a rich history and offers a prime location for our latest venture.”
Guildford Borough Council will decide whether the plans can go ahead.