Heineken is investing £39 million in more than 600 of its UK pubs – in a move it says will bring 62 back from the dead.
O Dutch The brewery said the cash injection into its Star Pubs operation will create more than 1,000 jobs.
According to Star Pubs, 612 pubs will benefit, with renovations focused on “transforming tired pubs in suburban areas into premium venues” as people travel less to city centers.
This will include “subtle zoning” work to accommodate various customer activities such as watching sports and dining.
Two pubs in Essex have already reopened after works costing a combined £424,000, and another in Bromsgrove, near Birmingham, is due to restart later this month.
“People are looking for maximum value when visiting their venue,” said Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs.
“They want a great atmosphere, food and drink, as well as activities that give them an extra reason to go out, like sports exhibitions and entertainment.
“Creating fantastic venues that can accommodate a variety of occasions addresses this need and helps pubs fulfill their role as vital third spaces where communities can come together.”
Some renovations will also include retrofitting wine cellars with new distribution equipment and measures to improve energy efficiency such as heating controls, Star said.
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It adds to similar plans in recent years and will represent more than £200 million of investment since 2019.
Mountstevens added: “Pubs have proven their enduring appeal, after all the disruption of recent years, Star is on track to have the lowest number of pubs closed since 2019.
“It is a tribute to the motivation and entrepreneurship of graduates and the importance of continuous investment.
“Well-invested pubs, run by large licensees, are here to stay but, like all local people, they need government support to reduce the huge tax burden they bear.”
Pubs have suffered as the cost of living and business forced the closure of 450 sites last year despite government support, according to the British Beer and Pub Association, which warns that another 2,000 are at risk.
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