Yahoo News Heineken to reopen 'lost' Greater Manchester pub
A pub in Greater Manchester is set to reopen as part of Heineken’s £39million refurbishment programme. The brewing giant will reopen 62 'lost' pubs in 2024 that have closed in recent years across its Star Pub’s estate.
Among the 62 sites with planned refurbishment works are The Hesketh Tavern in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, which has been long-term closed. The Grey Man Westhoughton in Bolton, which is currently open, is also set to be refurbished as part of the wider investment. Heineken UK says that the move will create around 1,075 new jobs across the country.
As well as refurbing and reopening the 62 pubs, the investment will also cover improvements to a quarter of Heineken UK’s 2,400 pubs - 612 sites in total. Of these, 94 are set for makeovers costing on average £200,000. The firm said that by the end of the year, it will have reopened 156 long-term closed pubs since the start of 2023, reducing the number of closed pubs in its estate to pre-pandemic levels.
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Star Pubs - which is also the commercial landlord for Manchester pub The Britons Protection - said that the refurbishments “will concentrate on transforming tired pubs in suburban areas into premium locals”. It said that it will create “subtle zoning” in venues to allow guests to enjoy different aspects, such as viewing sports and dining.
The outline for The Hesketh Tavern’s refurbishment says: “A comprehensive refurbishment will see the Hesketh Tavern transform to its full business potential, creating an exciting opportunity for the right operator to thrive and be at the heart of the Cheadle Hulme community.”
For the Grey Man Wetshoughton’s refurbishment, Star Pubs said: “A major investment will transform the Grey Man into a classic, comfortable community pub. Redecorations throughout the interior will breathe a new lease of life into this pub. We will be refurbishing all the trading areas of the pub including the bar servery and lounge.”
Other changes Heineken will be making to its sites include overhauling cellars with state-of-the-art dispense equipment and repositioning tills to speed up service. It added that “substantial projects” will feature energy efficiency measures, such as heating controls, insulation and low-energy lighting, that will typically cost £12,500 per pub and cut energy use by 15%.
Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs’ Managing Director, said: “People are looking for maximum value from visits to their local. They want great surroundings and food and drink as well as activities that give them an extra reason to go out, such as sports screenings and entertainment. Creating fantastic locals that can accommodate a range of occasions meets this need and helps pubs fulfil their role as vital third spaces where communities can come together.
