Latest news with #StarPubs'
Metro
05-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Heineken to invest £40,000,000 to reopen dozens of pubs and create 1,000 jobs
Heineken has said it will create around 1,000 new jobs around the UK as part of a £40 million boost to its pubs business. The project will focus on revamping around a quarter of the 2,400 alehouses run by Star Pubs, the UK subsidiary of the Dutch brewing giant. Around 62 of its pubs which had been marked for long-term closure were reopened last year as the project got underway. Works have to reopen another 10 have either started or been completed so far this year. It comes after a rough few years for the hospitality industry as it struggled to bounce back from Covid-19 and a long period of high inflation. Since the start of 2020, more than 2,000 pubs have been closed around the country. There are now less than 39,000 left across England and Wales, roughly one for every 950 adults. Bosses said Star Pubs 'is on track to have the lowest number of closed pubs since 2019'. More than 600 pubs – a quarter of the chain's 2,400 establishments – will get a makeover to their interior, toilets and gardens. Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs' managing director, said: 'Consistent investment – rather than a stop, start approach – and a strategy of creating great locals have been key to helping our pubs weather the storms of the last few years. 'Heineken sees firsthand the value in great British pubs and their ongoing popularity. 'It recognises that Brits love their locals and that well-invested pubs trade better. 'This £40 million inward investment from a Dutch business into UK pubs is a resounding vote of confidence in the future of the sector. 'Even with pressures on disposable income, people are still prioritising a trip to their local, valuing it as an everyday treat and as a way of connecting with their community.' Mr Mountstevens said pubs have been hurt by a 'disproportionate tax burden', calling on Keir Starmer's government to address this in its next review of rates. Six months after closure, The Cherry Tree, a pub in Witham, Essex dating to the early 1900s, re-launched as a 'family-friendly community village pub' after a £180,000 upgrade. In Aveley, Essex, The Crown & Anchor was closed for a year before a £244,000 transformation into a sports and entertainment bar. A third, The Wildmoor Oak gastro pub near Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, just south of Birmingham, was revived from 18 months of closure after a £513,000 revamp. Mountstevens said: 'Pubs have proved their enduring appeal; after all the disruption of recent years, Star is on track to have the lowest number of closed pubs since 2019. 'It's a tribute to the drive and entrepreneurship of licensees and the importance of continued investment. More Trending 'We've spent more than £200m upgrading and maintaining our pubs over the last five years, and we'll continue to invest to keep them open and thriving. 'Time and again we see the value consumers place on having a good local and how important it is to communities. 'Well-invested pubs run by great licensees are here to stay, but like all locals, they need government support to reduce the enormous tax burden they shoulder.' A similar version of this article was first published on May 6, 2024. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Gerwyn Price is dreaming of a Premier League Darts and Greyhound Derby double success MORE: Pub must pay family £75,000 after false 'dine and dash' accusations on Facebook MORE: The most famous inmates of Alcatraz as Trump orders notorious prison to re-open
The Herald Scotland
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Heineken to create 150 jobs in Scotland with £4.5m pub investment
It said more than 600 of its 2,400 UK venues will receive investment funds to make improvements over the next year. The company has spent £1.28m reopening four long-term closed Scottish pubs in the last six months: The Howard Arms in Kilmarnock;The New Rhindsdale Tavern in Baillieston, The Scoonie Tavern in Leven and The Station Inn in Braidwood. Heineken said it has earmarked a further £4.5m for pubs in Scotland, which will result in an estimated 150 new jobs. READ MORE: 'Brilliant' and 'superb' Scottish cocktail bars named the best in the world 'No shortage of interest': Family sells popular pub after 20 years I did the Glasgow sub crawl sober and discovered what's killing our pubs 28 pubs have been identified for improvements, with 20 in line for "transformational works" costing on average £212,000, the brewing giant said. One such pub is Van Winkle in Glasgow, where a £275,000 revamp is underway to turn it into Gael & Grain, a pub celebrating Scottish food, drink and music. Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs' managing director said: 'We've invested over £1.28m in reopening four long-term closed pubs in Scotland in the last six months alone and they've all had a terrific response from local residents. Even with pressures on disposable income, people are still prioritising a trip to their local, valuing it as an everyday treat and as a way of connecting with their community. But they want to be guaranteed a quality experience: relaxing in an attractive setting is an important factor when pubgoers choose where to spend their money. 'The vast majority of our pubs are leased by independent operators who run them as their own. Investing in them keeps alive the tradition of individual locals, each with its own unique feel and serving the particular needs of its community. 'Star Pubs' licensees in Scotland employ some 2,500 people, support many Scottish suppliers and raise thousands of pounds for local charities and good causes every year. Pubs are the lifeblood of their communities and growth engines for the UK economy however they are being penalised by a disproportionate tax burden, which we hope will be addressed.' Heineken's announcement regarding investment in Scottish pubs comes on the same day First Minister John Swinney opens its new headquarters at 6 St Andrew Square in Edinburgh ahead of the expiry of the lease on its previous premises in South Gyle. Heineken, which employs over 500 people in Scotland, has invested £2m in remodelling the St Andrew Square offices.
Glasgow Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
How Heineken UK revived two beloved Glasgow pubs
Heineken UK is set to invest £4.5m in Scottish bars this year, with two beloved venues already benefiting from the boost. The New Rhindsdale Tavern at Baillieston reopened last October, thanks to a cash boost. At the heart of the East End community, this boozer serves cocktails, dishes and organises events for residents, such as pub quizzes and holiday celebrations. Van Winkle on Sandyford Place is currently undergoing a huge refurbishment to transform into Gael & Grain, a new pub celebrating Scottish food, drink and music. After the £275,000 upgrade, the new venue is expected to welcome punters again in May. Both of these projects are part of Heineken UK's mission to boost economic growth by investing in revamping and reopening pubs in its Star Pubs division. A few of their other accomplishments in the last six months include The Howard Arms in Kilmarnock, The Scoonie Tavern in Leven and The Station Inn at Braidwood. (Image: Mark F Gibson) (Image: Mark F Gibson) (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: Iconic Glasgow bar to close for £275,000 transformation Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs' managing director said: 'We've invested over £1.28m in reopening four long-term closed pubs in Scotland in the last six months alone and they've all had a terrific response from local residents. "Even with pressures on disposable income, people are still prioritising a trip to their local, valuing it as an everyday treat and as a way of connecting with their community. But they want to be guaranteed a quality experience: relaxing in an attractive setting is an important factor when pubgoers choose where to spend their money. 'The vast majority of our pubs are leased by independent operators who run them as their own. Investing in them keeps alive, the tradition of individual locals, each with its own unique feel and serving the particular needs of its community. 'Star Pubs' licensees in Scotland employ some 2,500 people, support many Scottish suppliers and raise thousands of pounds for local charities and good causes every year. "Pubs are the lifeblood of their communities and growth engines for the UK economy however, they are being penalised by a disproportionate tax burden, which we hope will be addressed.'
The Independent
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Brewing giant to create around 1,000 jobs by reopening closed pubs across the UK
Heineken is set to create around 1,000 jobs as part of a major investment plan which will revamp and reopen dozens of pubs across the UK. The Dutch brewing giant said it will provide a £40 million cash injection into its Star Pubs operation. It said more than 600 of its 2,400 UK venues will receive investment funds to make improvements over the next year. Bosses said the move is a 'resounding vote of confidence' in the sector despite recent cost increases and pressure on consumer finances. Works have already started or been completed to reopen 10 pubs so far this year, with further sites that are currently closed earmarked for investment to welcome customers again. The company reopened 62 of its long-term closed pubs last year, leaving the business with its lowest level of closed venues since 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs' managing director, said: 'Consistent investment – rather than a stop, start approach – and a strategy of creating great locals have been key to helping our pubs weather the storms of the last few years. ' Heineken sees firsthand the value in great British pubs and their ongoing popularity. 'It recognises that Brits love their locals and that well-invested pubs trade better. 'This £40 million inward investment from a Dutch business into UK pubs is a resounding vote of confidence in the future of the sector. 'Even with pressures on disposable income, people are still prioritising a trip to their local, valuing it as an everyday treat and as a way of connecting with their community.' The boss stressed that local pubs are 'growth engines' in the economy but said they have been impacted by a 'disproportionate tax burden'. Mr Mountstevens called for this to be reduced when the Government draws up fresh plans to overhaul the business rates regime of property tax later this year.
