Heineken to spend £50m refurbishing Star Pubs & Bars estate in 2019

Heineken has announced a £50m investment programme in its estate that will see 150 pubs refurbished.

Each of the pubs will receive an average of £250,000 for improvements to gardens, kitchens, bars, and toilets and the installation of Smart Dispense, which Heineken said would save CO2 and water for every pint served.

Since 2013 Heineken has spent £190m on its 3,000 strong Star Pubs & Bars estate, but this new investment increases the speed of refurbishment with £50m earmarked to be spent in 2019.

"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."

The latest pub to receive investment is the 200-year-old Extraordinary Hare pub in West Hendred near Oxford (pictured), which had been boarded up for four years. It received a £500,000 investment to renovate the exterior and restore original features such as fireplaces, exposed brickwork and timber.

Licensee Kate Hayden said: "The Extraordinary Hare had been closed for so long that it had been forgotten by many people. There's plenty of competition and expectations are high, so changes had to be eye-catching to put it back on the map. The response has been amazing. Residents are delighted to have their local back and are using it for all sorts of different occasions."