The Dutch brewing giant said the cash injection will be used to upgrade 647 pubs across its 2,350-strong Star Pubs estate this year
Heineken has revealed plans to invest more than £44million into hundreds of its UK pubs.
The Dutch brewing giant said the cash injection will be used to upgrade 647 pubs across its 2,350-strong Star Pubs estate this year.
The programme includes the complete overhaul of 108 pubs costing £145,000 or more and will create an estimated 850 jobs.
Major refurbishments will focus on developing different areas for drinking, dining and sports or entertainment, with sports-focused venues being prioritised in the run-up to the World Cup.
Heineken will also trial a new contemporary pub model designed to appeal to younger adults.
The offer will change from morning coffee and space to work from the pub during the day to DJs, open-mic sessions and live music at night.
The majority of pubs included in the programme are owned by the group but are independently operated by licensees.
Heineken said it has pumped £328million into British pubs since 2018. It has already started work in 52 locations, including eight projects where it is reopening boarded-up pubs.
The investment plan comes as the pubs sector continues to struggle against rising costs, customers having less money to spend, and increases to National Insurance employer contributions.
Pubs received additional business rates support from the Government from last month to help ease their cost pressures.
Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs’ managing director, urged the Government to reduce the tax burden on pubs.
He said: “Pubs are a fantastic institution, admired the world over. We’re proud to be a leading investor in Britain’s independently operated locals and to be playing a part in securing their future along with our dedicated and entrepreneurial licensees.
“Investment is essential if pubs are to remain a first choice for people looking for somewhere to socialise. It is also critical for pubs needing to generate extra revenue to fund the sustained increases in running costs they’ve faced in recent years.
“However we can only do so much; the root-and-branch reform of business rates that the industry has been calling for over many years is urgently required, as well as a lowering of the burden of taxation on pubs – including VAT and beer duty.
“We are calling on the Government to support us in bringing out the best in the Great British pub. Importantly, this investment will create flexible job opportunities in communities across the country and give many young people their first taste of the world of work.”
