In a cash-constrained economy, HEINEKEN UK announced today it is helping protect the great British local with a £44.5m investment to upgrade 647 pubs in its 2,350-strong Star Pubs estate in 2026. The programme includes the complete transformation of 108 pubs costing £145,000 or more and will create an estimated 850 jobs.

£1.94m is being spent in the North East and North Yorkshire with licensees adding a further £69,000 on top. 77 new jobs are being created as a result.

Nine locals across the region are to benefit from substantial revamps including The Ship at Marske which has just reopened after a long-term closure.

Eight of the pubs will see improvements made to their sports facilities. These will range from new pool tables and high-spec AV systems showing Sky and TNT Sports to halo-lit darts boards to capitalise on the Luke Littler effect.

With hospitality businesses finding it difficult to secure finance in the current climate, the investment is providing a lifeline.

HEINEKEN has pumped £328m into its locals since 2018, safeguarding them for the long term. At a time when the UK is losing approximately one pub a day*, Star Pubs has fewer closed pubs than before the pandemic.

Major refurbishments will focus on developing top quality locals that appeal to the whole community and have different areas for drinking, dining and sports or entertainment.

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 North East and the country more widely and give many young people their first taste of the world of work.

Pubs which have benefited from recent investment include The Ship Marske and The George Stephenson, West Moor, Newcastle.

The Ship, Marske on Sea

The Ship, Marske on Sea

A much-loved family and dog friendly local by the sea, The Ship reopened on 23rd April following a 13-month closure. 12 jobs have been created on the back of a £327,000 revamp which has reinstated the pub at the heart of the community offering food, live music, a weekly pub quiz, darts and pool tournaments, coffee mornings three times a week and a Thursday lunchtime Yappy Hour for dog owners and their dogs. Community groups are encouraged to use the pub and the local brass band and Marske Fishermen’s Choir meet there on a regular basis,

Improvements include an upgraded sports bar with a Heineken branded pool table, two high-definition TVs and a dedicated darts area with halo-lit darts and an electronic scorer. Additional HDTVs have been fitted so that sports can be viewed elsewhere in the pub. The Fisherman’s snug bar has been retained with its local sea related memorabilia. Outside there’s new furniture, providing seating for 66.

Says publican Gary Willis, a tuba player and member of the brass band: “Simone and I moved to Marske before the opportunity came up to run The Ship on behalf of Star Pubs and so personally felt the absence of what would have been our own local. It’s a fantastic refurbishment which has created jobs and a place for the whole community to come together. Residents are over the moon that it is back open and thriving.”

The George Stephenson

The George Stephenson, West Moor, Newcastle

A £205,000 revamp of The George Stephenson in West Moor with Fleet Management, the operators of The Fleet Street bar in Newcastle and The Hastings Arms in Seaton Delaval, has seen the previously underperforming pub revitalised and become the beating heart of its community once again. Great quality affordable food, live sports and live music together with a weekly quiz and talks from Newcastle legends, Steve Watson, Micky Quinn, Lee Clark and John Beresford, have ensured the pub appeals to everyone. There are tastings to showcase the wines and even a Paw Wall for pictures of customers’ dogs.

Since reopening at the end of November the local has been busy every week, trading over 50% higher than pre-refurbishment.

The top-to-toe renovation saw all areas of the pub upgraded. A commercial kitchen was installed along with new sports equipment including a pool table, darts boards, five high-definition TVs showing Sky & TNT sports and a state-of-the-art sound and entertainment system.

Says Fleet Management commercial director, Victoria Watson:
“The George Stephenson’s heydays are no longer a distant memory. It’s getting back its vibe and bringing the community together again. Quizzes for example are packed out every week. Most pubs see trade drop off in January, we were really busy and have remained so ever since. Residents tell us they love the new-look pub, the staff, the food and drink offer and the fact that the pub is thriving.

“The south facing beer garden is huge, so we’ve invested a further £7,000 in an outside wood fired pizza oven – the only one in the area - with a covered gazebo which we’re about to launch. As well as serving pizzas, it will be available for kids’ and adults’ parties with the opportunity to build your own pizza. We’re also about to introduce a takeaway option for residents and local businesses for our pizzas and burgers via Deliveroo.”