North West pubs estate in line for £6.5m makeover

Pubs group Heineken UK is investing £5.5m in upgrading its North West pubs estate.

A further £1m will be pumped in to the portfolio by the group’s operators, the people who run the pubs.

The improvement is part of a total £42m plan to refurbish and improve pubs around the country in its Star Pubs & Bars estate.

Among sites already re-opened following improvements is The White Horse in Edgworth, Lancashire, which received £384,000 from Star Pubs & Bars towards the total £430,000 project which concluded at the end of February.

The Shrimper, in Southport, opened in March as The Marsh Harrier after a £170,000 makeover by Star, and The Farmer’s Arms in Burscough opened in April following a £391,000 contribution by Star to the £500,000 project.

The company plans a further 15 projects in the North West this year and is in talks with operators about projects at the following:

• Top Lock Wheelton, Lancashire
• Feildens Arms Mellor Brook, Lancashire
• Hamers Summerseat, Lancashire
• Dunkirk Hall Leyland, Lancashire
• Miners Adlington, Cheshire
• Bird I’th Hand Urmston, Manchester
• Deysbrook Liverpool
• Argyll & Sutherland Eastham, Merseyside
• Thatch & Thistle, Southport, Merseyside
• Millstone Newton Le Willows, Merseyside

The remaining five refurbishments are subject to recruiting new operators at the Bayley Arms Hurst Green, Lancashire, Bretherton Arms Chorley, Lancashire, Pleasant Retreat, Lostock Hall, Lancashire, Whitakers Arms, Accrington, Lancashire, and Grey Man, Westhoughton, Greater Manchester.

The Star schemes in the North West reflect two long-term trends that have been accelerated and amplified by the pandemic – pubgoers’ increasing demand for quality and for outdoor socialising. New research reveals that, since the pandemic, more than 50% of pubgoers are treating themselves to better quality food and drink than they did pre-COVID, while a nice outdoor seating area has become more important to eight out of 10.

Pubs earmarked for major makeovers will be given a quality look and feel to deliver the premium experience customers want, said the pubs operator.

Kitchen refits and new bars will enable them to keep up with pubgoers’ higher expectations for food and drink. People have developed a taste for eating and drinking alfresco as a result of the pandemic and are seeking out pubs with great gardens year-round. Many of the projects will, therefore, include external improvements.

The investment will extend outdoor seating areas – making pubs more sustainable – and add the wow factor with features such as festoon lighting, artwork, heaters and covers.

The project at The White Horse in Edgworth saw the pub re-open following a three-year closure, in conjunction with pub and restaurant operator, Yogesh (Yogi). Thirteen local jobs were created as a result.

The pub has been completely overhauled with the interior reconfigured to create separate dining and lounge areas offering a choice of a lively bar or a quieter environment. Roaring fires, low ceilings and exposed stone retain the pub’s character while the décor gives it a modern country look and feel.

Outside an alfresco eating and drinking area for 60 has been created.

The premium family and dog friendly local was an immediate hit with locals and walkers.  It has proved so popular that another local chef has been employed to cater for the demand, which is 30% above business plan.

Licensee, Yogi Mistry, said: “It’s been a real delight listening to the great feedback we have had from customers. The investment and the quality of our food and drinks has resonated with customers in every respect.

The White Horse, Edgworth

“We’re attracting a lot of walkers and local people for lunch. Trade has been even better than we anticipated, and we believe will increase further as people start socialising more. It’s a great feeling watching people meeting up again.”

He added: “We are confident about the future and will be looking to expand our premium local model as people are wanting quality and to treat themselves and reconnect with family and friends.”

Lawson Mountstevens, managing director, Star Pubs & Bars, said: “People have stayed closer to home over the last two years due to the pandemic and turned to their local for the kind of experience they’d previously have travelled to a city centre, restaurant or bar to find.

“They don’t want to turn back time – they expect better quality, including food and specialty drinks, such as cocktails, that are harder to recreate at home. It’s the same with gardens. Sitting outside at the pub has become a new occasion and, if the outside space is good enough, customers will wrap up to enjoy it even in the winter months.”

He added: “Outdoor facilities also remain important for those who are still cautious about going out as the UK learns to live with COVID.

“The cost of living squeeze on wallets is magnifying these trends. People are looking for a really great experience when they go out. These are challenging times. However, we are confident that well-invested pubs that adapt to market changes will have a bright, long-term future.”

By the end of 2022, Heineken UK will have invested £115m in refurbishing its pubs since COVID hit.