Heineken has announced a £39m investment to reopen around 60 long-term-closed UK pubs and upgrade 612 outlets, with a focus on suburban 'premium locals' to cater to the rise in home working. The move is expected to create 1,075 new jobs.
The brewer, which operates 2,400 pubs through its Star Pubs & Bars arm, plans to reopen 62 venues that have been shut for an extended period. Of the 612 upgrades, 94 will receive major makeovers costing approximately £200,000 each, targeting 'tired' pubs in suburban areas.
Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs, said the investment aims to provide 'maximum value' for customers, with high-quality food and drink and additional attractions like sports screenings. He noted that pubs have shown 'enduring appeal' despite recent disruptions.
The investment comes amid signs of rising consumer confidence as inflation eases. Heineken UK, the world's second-largest brewer, said this will reduce its number of closed pubs to pre-Covid levels, having already reopened 156 since early 2023.
Other pub groups have also announced fresh investments, including JD Wetherspoon's plans for 130 new locations and Greene King's £40m brewery project in East Anglia, indicating renewed sector confidence after pandemic closures and cost pressures.
