Heineken to pump £2m into pubs across region

PUB giant Heineken UK has announced it is investing £2.2m into upgrading and reopening closed pubs across the North East, creating scores of new jobs,

- BY COREENA FORD Business writer [e-mail]

The firm said that the investment forms part of a UK-wide cash pot of £40m being ploughed into its Star Pubs division this year, a move it says will create around 1,000 new jobs across the country.

In all, 608 of Heineken UK's 2,400 pubs will benefit from enhancements during the year, with 104 earmarked for transformational revamps costing £120,000 plus. In the North East, the £2.2m pledged will be topped up by licensees expected to invest £139,000, resulting in an estimated 79 new jobs.

Eight pubs in the region have been identified for improvements, including the recently reopened The Schooner in Amble, Northumberland and The Red Kite in Winlaton, which ceased trading in January.

Bosses at Heineken UK say they have pumped £194m into improving its pubs between the start of 2020 and the end of 2024, despite tough industry trading conditions.