Heineken serves round of Scots pub revamps with seven-figure injection

● ‘Bold’ upgrades to Star Pubs & Bars estate could create more than 90 jobs

Drinks giant Heineken, which o p e r a t e s i t s U K a r m f r o m Edinburgh, is investing a seven-figure sum in its Star Pubs & Bars estate in Scotland this year, creating nearly 100 jobs.

T h e d r i n k s f i r m , w h o s e brands include Strongb ow, Fo s t e r ’s a n d B u l me r s , s a i d the £4 million injection will focus on “big, bold refurbishments”. The move continues the upgrading by the group – which also has Edinburgh’s historic Caledonian Brewer y within its portfolio – of its pubs estate north of the Border.

Of the £4m, 60 per cent will go on major revamps of nine pubs with an average spend of £268,000.

The planned upgrades will “premiumise what [each site] offers and meet the commun i t y ’s c h a n g i n g n e e d s a n d lifest yles, whilst remaining sympathetic to the building’s heritage”. Pubs of all kinds are to b enefit, with most in the Central Belt. Changes include developing food, adding good coffee and upgrading outside spaces.

T h e c o m p a n y h a s a l s o identified a fur ther £2.88m of refurbishment projects it wo u l d l i ke t o u n d e r t a ke a t pubs throughout the country.

Sites to receive investment include Blackfriars in Invern e s s , wh i c h c l o s e d i n 2 0 17 and will undergo a six-month £ 1 . 3 6 m r e f u r b i s h men t t h a t starts on site next week.

The sum includes a £689,200 i nve s t me n t by S t a r P u b s & Bars, a £422,600 grant award b y T h e I n v e r n e s s To w n - scape Heritage Project and a £250,000 outlay by the site’s new operator, Billy Mcaneney.

T h e wo r k wi l l r e s to r e t h e Grade B 18th centur y building, with additions including a new kitchen and eight ensuite letting rooms, and it will be renamed The Optimist.

H o s p i t a l i t y v e t e r a n M c A n e n e y ’s c u r r e n t s i t e s i n c l u d e B a b y G r a n d B a r & Grill, Ecco Vino and Ardnamurchan.

H e s a i d a c c o m m o d a t i o n and “good food” were needed to make it viable as a business, adding: “The changes and the investment required are substantial. It’s great to be part of a project that will reopen such a beautiful old pub and bring it back to life.”

Brian Davidson, Star Pubs & Bars operations director for Scotland, said the boost “is a sign of confidence in the future o f S c o t l a n d ’s p u b s a n d o u r commitment to their success”.

R u r a l e c o n o my s e c r e t a r y F e r g u s E w i n g s a i d : “T h i s investment is further demonstration of the confidence of major companies to continue to invest in Scotland.

“It will create many jobs, and boost Scottish food and drink producers, who should benefit from more pubs serving locally-sourced produce”.

emma.newlands@jpimedia.co.uk