Heineken UK to pump millions into Lancashire pubs, creating 70 jobs - including 3 near Preston
Leading brewing firm Heineken UK has just announced its going to invest millions into pubs across Lancashire.
Heineken UK has 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.
£4.64m is being spent in the North West with licensees adding a further £696,000 on top, which will create 115 new jobs as a result.
£2.16m of this spend is On Lancashire pubs with licensees adding a further £415,000.
Off the back of this investment, 70 jobs will be created in Lancashire.
Which Lancashire pubs are to benefit?
Eight pubs in Lancashire are included in the list of 16 locals set to benefit from substantial revamps.
These are the Victoria, Lostock Hall; Park Inn, Accrington; Old Oak, Longridge; Royal Oak, Aughton; Dog Inn, Whalley; Anchor Inn, Colne; Plough, Blackpool and Dunkirk, Leyland.
Four of these - Park Inn, Old Oak, Dog Inn and Dunkirk - will specifically 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.
Have any of the Lancashire pubs already benefited?
Yes! The Old Oak in Longridge opened at the weekend following a £350,000 revamp which created 11 new jobs.
The former rundown pub has been transformed into a top-quality family and dog-friendly local with food becoming a major feature.
New décor throughout, additional seating inside and out, bi-fold doors opening onto the terrace and an upgraded kitchen to enable the pub to broaden its food offer, have taken The Old Oak to the next level.
Outside, a new picket fence and gate at the front of the pub with artificial grass and tables and parasols have created a sunny south facing garden for alfresco eating and drinking.
Licensee Pete Jackson said: “The opening was fantastic. The local community came out in their droves to see the transformation for themselves and enjoy their new look local. Everyone is delighted. I am looking forward to a great summer ahead.”
Why are Heineken investing so much money into these pumps?
With hospitality businesses finding it difficult to secure finance in the current climate, the investment is providing a lifeline says the firm.
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.
What has been said about the investment?
Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs’ managing director, said: “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 in Lancashire, the North West and the country more widely and give many young people their first taste of the world of work.”