Key Points
- 647 HEINEKEN-owned pubs across the UK set for investment in 2026, leading to 850 new jobs
- Around £5m is earmarked for pubs in London & the Home Counties creating 90 jobs.
- Investment sees big emphasis on sports facilities in a World Cup year
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.
£5m is being spent in London and the Home Counties with licensees adding a further £706,000 on top. 90 new jobs are being created as a result.
24 locals across the region are to benefit from substantial revamps including The Red Lion, Bierton; The Duke of York, Hanwell; The William Morris, Walthamstow; The Ship, Tottenham and the Cork & Bottle, Hampstead which are reopening after long-term closures.
Six 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.
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 across London and the Home Counties and the country more widely and give many young people their first taste of the world of work.”
Pubs which have benefited from investment this year include The Duke of York in Hanwell, Ealing and The Blue Eagle in Southend-on-Sea.
Duke of York, Hanwell, Ealing
A £485,000 investment by Star Pubs and local residents Erich and Lisa Von Gehren reopened The Duke of York, Hanwell in early April following a five-month closure, creating 12 new jobs. Located near the Elizabeth Line tube station, the one-time music dive has been given a new lease of life as a warm and welcoming family- and dog-friendly community local. Refurbished inside and out, the pub consists of a bar, a lounge and a new sports zone offering darts and live sports. Outside seating has been doubled to accommodate 80 people for alfresco eating and drinking.
With Erich’s previous experience of running restaurants and Lisa’s events management background, the couple is keen to put The Duke of York on the map for affordable gastro quality food, cask ale and fun activities. In addition, a quiz, live music and community events are planned.
Says Erich:
“having lived in Hanwell for three years, Lisa and I know how important it is for the community to have somewhere to come together. We really appreciate the role pubs play in society as we come from America, where there aren’t neighbourhood pubs. We’re first-time publicans – it’s early days but we already absolutely love it. The investment from Star Pubs helped make our dream a reality and is enabling us to contribute to our community in different ways, from giving young people a step onto the hospitality ladder to supporting local suppliers and playing host to the Hanwell music festival. The pub was an eyesore before and barely used. Residents are delighted with the transformation and are making the most of their new local.”
The Blue Eagle – formerly the Spread Eagle – Southend-on-Sea
In a joint project between Star Pubs and Southend United Football Club, The Spread Eagle has now been transformed into a top-quality local that specialises in sports. It also provides a fantastic pre- and post-match experience for Shrimpers’ supporters on match days. The pub – which is adjacent to the Southend United stadium – has been renamed The Blue Eagle to reflect its new direction, with its décor incorporating the club’s signature navy blue. It opened in time for Southend’s last game of the season on 25th April, creating six new jobs.
The exterior works renovated the beautiful old building with plans to revamp the garden area, enabling it to double as a sports fan zone with outside screens. Inside, the smart new design celebrates Southend United with memorabilia and photographs. The pub has a comfortable lounge area and a spacious bar fitted out with an all-new pool table, halo-lit darts and a high-spec AV system showing Sky & TNT Sports. Multiple screens, including three on the back of the bar, ensure fans can catch all of the action.
Southend United Chairman, Justin Rees, said:
“Our ambition has been to create a high-quality, family-friendly local that the city can be proud of and enjoy year-round, while also adding another great option for supporters on matchdays. Whether it’s live sport, a game of pool or darts, or the build-up before kick-off, it’s all about giving people different ways to come together and enjoy football. We’re grateful to Star Pubs for the opportunity to collaborate and for their investment in the refurbishment, which has helped bring this vision to life.”
