Star Pubs & Bars to only reopen 50% of Scottish sites on 26 April
The country’s largest pub operator is not expected to reopen the remaining half until 17 May, when lockdown restrictions are further eased
Star Pubs & Bars, which is part of the Heineken Group, has announced its plans to reopen around 50% of its 230 sites in Scotland on 26 April.
The country’s largest pub operator is not expected to reopen the remaining half of its sites until 17 May, when lockdown restrictions are further eased.
Currently, the group is continuing its 90% rent reduction scheme to help its franchisees survive the pandemic, which has resulted in Scottish pubs receiving relief totalling £5.7m.
Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs & Bars’ managing director, said: “We know the rent relief, which represents a significant investment on behalf of Star Pubs & Bars during challenging times for the whole industry, will have a significant bearing on the future sustainability of our licensees’ businesses – and clearly we want to see our pubs thrive in the long-term.
“We’re delighted that the Scottish government has allowed us to reopen but the restrictions are onerous. Pubs are in a fragile state.”
He added: “The Scottish government urgently needs to provide additional financial assistance or scrap the nonsensical curfews and restrictions on drinking alcohol indoors that will hamper the recovery of Scotland’s pubs.
“The pandemic has shown the true partnership nature of leased and tenanted pubs. Throughout, we have tried to shoulder a fair share of the burden on Scotland’s pubs.”
