Greene King says it has invested almost £42m into 130 of its pubs and smokehouse restaurants in the first six months of this year.
Around £24m has been invested in 62 pubs in the Greene King managed estate, comprising Greene King pubs and Destination Brands, despite the challenging economic environment facing the pub sector.
Stand-out projects include a £1.1m investment at the historic Railway pub by Liverpool Street Station in London, which saw a full refurbishment. Over the period, Greene King also invested in its second Farmhouse Kitchen site in the UK, Silkwood Park in Wakefield.
The rollout of Hickory’s continues, with plans to open 10 restaurants throughout 2025. This builds on the six new smokehouses which were opened throughout 2024.
Across Greene King Pub Partners — Greene King’s leased, tenanted and franchise division — almost £9m has been invested across 63 pubs, 18 of which are newly-opened franchise sites. Notable franchise site refurbishments include the Anchor in Walsworth, and the Turf & Feather in Birchwood.
The beginning of 2025 also saw Pub Partners launch its franchise businesses in Scotland, with the first Nest pub at the Tarbet, Edinburgh and first Hive pub, and largest spend to date, at the Stables in Stenhousemuir.
“Customers appreciate the efforts we go to in making their local the best it can be, and we intend to keep investing in our estate and maximising the potential of our brands and assets,” said Greene King chief executive Nick Mackenzie.
“However, we can only continue to do this if the government supports the sector so it is given the potential to thrive.”
Mackenzie also added his thoughts on business rates going forward. “Pubs generate just 0.4% of UK business turnover, but we pay 2.1% of the total business rates bill. That imbalance holds back jobs, investment, and growth in every part of the UK.
“If the government wants to deliver on this commitment, two steps are essential: apply the full 20p discount on the rates multiplier for pubs at the upcoming Budget, and base future valuations on profit, not turnover, starting from 2026.
“Business rates reform isn’t a handout — it’s an investment in an industry that sustains high streets, employs hundreds of thousands of people, and fuels local economies.”
• Bang the Elephant and Emperor’s Brewery are teaming up to open a bar together. They plan to convert a studio in Nottingham into The Tusk & Raider (see what they’ve done there?). A planning application has been lodged with the local council.
• Southsea-based Staggeringly Good brewery has opened a taproom in Portsmouth. The Fossil Thief can be found in the Lock Keepers Cottage at the Gunwharf Quays development.
• Star Pubs, the pub division of Heineken UK, has reported a nearly 40% uplift in sales during England’s dramatic UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 victory over Spain.
But Stonegate said the final delivered an uplift of 90% sales compared to a typical Sunday run rate in its managed pubs.
