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Brewing giant Heineken says it is investing \u00a339m in hundreds of its UK pubs and reopening 62 that were closed in recent years.<\/b><\/p>\n
The company says the cash injection in its Star Pubs chain will create more than 1,000 new jobs.<\/p>\n
The move will see Star make renovations at more than 600 hundred pubs, around a quarter of the 2,400-strong chain.<\/p>\n
The Netherlands-based firm says the locations that will see improvements reflect how many of its customers have cut back on how often they commute into city centres.<\/p>\n
The work will “concentrate on transforming tired pubs in suburban areas into premium locals”, Heineken said.<\/p>\n
The investment will include “subtle zoning” work aimed at allowing customers to enjoy different activities like watching sports and dining. <\/p>\n
Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs’ managing director, said: “People are looking for maximum value from visits to their local.<\/p>\n
“They want great surroundings and food and drink as well as activities that give them an extra reason to go out.”<\/p>\n
This and other similar plans unveiled by Heineken since 2019 represent \u00a3200 million in investments.<\/p>\n
According to figures from the British Beer and Pub Association, the number of pubs across the UK has been steadily declining, with some 500 pubs closing in 2023.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n