Heineken to pump over £3m into West Midlands pubs brewing 71 new jobs
Pubs across the West Midlands are set for a £3.38m investment from Heineken this year, as part of wider plans to revamp its Star Pubs estate.
The regional funding is expected to support upgrades at more than 20 pubs and create around 71 new jobs, with additional investment from licensees.
One of the first to benefit was The Roseycombe, just outside Coventry, which reopened in January following a £350,000 joint refurbishment.
Other recent reopenings include the Bell & Bear in Rowley Regis, the Queen’s Head in Wednesbury (£210,000), The White Hart in Penkridge (£125,000), and The Dolphin in Tamworth (£140,000).
The investment forms part of a £40m UK-wide programme by Heineken in 2025, targeting around a quarter (608) of its 2,400 pubs and creating nearly 1,000 new jobs across the country.
The upgrades focus on suburban and rural locals, 97% of the estate, and include energy efficiency improvements and designs that preserve original features while enhancing the customer experience.
Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs said: “Consistent investment, rather than a stop-start approach, and a strategy of creating great locals have been key to helping our pubs weather the storms of the last few years. HEINEKEN sees firsthand the value in great British pubs and their ongoing popularity. It recognises that Brits love their locals and that well-invested pubs trade better. This £40 million inward investment from a Dutch business into UK pubs is a resounding vote of confidence in the future of the sector.
“The reopening of The Roseycombe has had a terrific response from local residents. Even with pressures on disposable income, people in the West Midlands are still prioritising a trip to their local, valuing it as an everyday treat and as a way of connecting with their community. But they want to be guaranteed a quality experience: relaxing in an attractive setting is an important factor when pubgoers choose where to spend their money.
“The vast majority of our pubs are leased by independent operators who run them as their own. In partnership with our licensees, our investment programme keeps alive the great British tradition of individual locals, each with its own unique feel and serving the particular needs of its community.
“Star Pubs’ licensees employ some 25,000 people, support thousands of local suppliers and raise millions for charity. Pubs are the lifeblood of their communities and growth engines for the UK economy, however, they are being penalised by a disproportionate tax burden. We urge the Government to rectify this distortion when proposals to overhaul business rates are drawn up this year.”
