FDBusiness.com

Heineken, the UK’s third largest pub business, has announced a record investment of £50 million to refurbish nearly 150 pubs across the UK, creating an estimated 1,200 hospitality jobs. The ambitious investment programme will see everything from gardens, kitchens, bars and snugs, given a bespoke refurbishment to fit each pub’s individual character. Every pub will benefit from Smart Dispense – a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly cellar dispense technology, which saves CO2 and water for every pint of beer and cider served.

This investment programme is not just about creating a nicer pub, it is about significantly enhancing the customer experience, generating better returns for licensees and ensuring sustainable growth for each pub.

David Forde, managing director of Heineken UK, comments: “We believe in the Great British pub. We’ve invested just shy of £200 million in the last six years into hundreds of our Star Pubs & Bars businesses – all with bespoke refurbishments that respect the heritage of the buildings, keep the soul of the pub, and give a fresh and welcoming look for its locals. Pubs are the hubs of communities – they’re where people meet, chat and laugh, where we enjoy everything from pub quizzes to karaoke, from a quiet pint to a fabulous home-cooked meal. Some would have you believe the pub is in danger. We are in the business to keep pubs open and thriving, providing a boost to the local community.”