Achi news desk-
The investment, which the company said will create 1,075 new jobs, appears to be at odds with a general decline in pub numbers across the UK, as increasing numbers of operators close down amid a cost crisis continuous The company said that during 2023 and 2024, 156 of their pubs that have been closed for a long period will reopen.
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Star Pubs, which is owned by Heineken UK and is a leased and tenanted pub operation, said people are still keen to go out despite the ongoing cost of living crisis, and is focusing investment on tie-up pubs in suburban areas, as people continue to work. from home and looking to save money on travel.
Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs, said: “People are looking for maximum value from visits to their local area. They want a great environment and food and drink as well as activities that give them an extra reason to go out, such as sports and entertainment shows. Creating great locals who can cater for a variety of occasions meets this need and helps pubs fulfill their role as a vital third space where communities can come together.
“Pubs have proven their enduring appeal; after all the turmoil of recent years, Star is on track to have the lowest number of closed pubs since 2019. It is a tribute to the drive and entrepreneurship of licensees and the importance of continued investment.
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“We have spent more than £200m on upgrading and maintaining our pubs over the past five years, and we will continue to invest to keep them open and thriving. Time and time again we see the value that consumers place on good local availability and how important it is to communities. Well-invested pubs run by great licensees are here to stay, but like all the locals, they need Government help to reduce the huge tax burden they bear shouldering it.”
The company noted that the renovations were designed to expand the use and appeal of each pub, giving people additional reasons to visit. It will use subtle zoning techniques to ensure that groups of people can visit for different reasons, from eating to watching live sport, without disturbing each other.
