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Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Popular Scottish pub known for being heart of the community wins prestigious award
An East Renfrewshire bar is one of just six in the UK to win a national award for community impact. A local pub in East Renfrewshire has been named one of the best in the UK for its outstanding work in the community. The Cartvale in Busby was selected from 2,400 pubs across the country to receive a prestigious Recognition Award from Heineken-owned Star Pubs. The gong honours its vital role at the heart of the community. The Cartvale is one of just six pubs nationwide to be chosen for the accolade, Glasgow Live reports. Adding to its growing list of achievements, The Cartvale has also been shortlisted as a finalist in the industry-wide Great British Pub Awards, with the winner to be revealed at a gala event in Leeds this September. This recognition follows its recent nomination for best pub in East Renfrewshire in the Pub & Bar Awards. The Recognition Award was presented to husband-and-wife team Rick and Liz Houston by Matt Dyson, Star Pubs' regional operations director, just as they prepare to celebrate five years running the bar. The East Renfrewshire couple took over The Cartvale during the first Covid lockdown in 2020, at a time when the pub was struggling. Since then, they've invested around £60,000 into transforming the venue into a welcoming, family and dog -friendly pub that now employs 35 people and serves as a focal point of the local community. Their investment has helped create a private dining space and a spacious garden with an outdoor bar, seating for 150 people and even a woodland area where dogs can roam off-lead. The garden is a popular destination on sunny days and often hosts events, adding to the pub's warm, inclusive atmosphere. Known for its all-day food and drink offering, The Cartvale opens daily at 11 am with barista-style coffee and cakes. Its menu features hearty favourites like steak pie, fish and chips, homemade burgers, and stone-baked Italian pizzas made from scratch. Sunday roasts regularly sell out. Four-legged visitors are just as welcome, with free treats and water bowls provided. It's not just food and drink that make The Cartvale a community favourite. The pub provides space for groups such as the East Renfrewshire Carers Group and hosts a range of activities including DJ nights, live music, sports screenings, and weekly quizzes. It also supports local initiatives, sponsoring Busby Football Club and showcasing up-and-coming musicians from the area. Rick, who has more than three decades of experience in hospitality, said the moment he and Liz stepped inside The Cartvale, they knew it was the one. 'We'd always wanted a pub of our own and had looked at lots of different sites. As soon as we walked into The Cartvale it struck a chord with us. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "We're honoured to receive this award. The Cartvale is like a family, and we couldn't have done it without our fantastic team or the backing of residents. 'They have supported The Cartvale every step of the way and through all the challenges the pub industry has faced over the last five years. We're very grateful.' Matt Dyson of Star Pubs praised the couple's dedication and vision, saying: 'The Cartvale is an exceptional local that is constantly evolving and launching new ideas. This award could not be more well deserved. 'It speaks volumes about the impact The Cartvale has as a community hub that is an asset to Busby. It is a tribute to Rick and Liz, thanks to their hard work, passion and commitment The Cartvale is back on the map and thriving again.'
Glasgow Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow pub reveals 'rebrand' after closing its doors
Gael & Grain has officially opened its doors on Sandyford Place, near Kelvingrove, in the city's West End. It follows a 'full venue makeover' and 'rebrand' led by Lomond Leisure Group, in collaboration with Star Pubs. The brand-new boozer will dish up traditional home-cooked foods with playful twists. READ MORE: 'Traditional' Glasgow pub up for sale after announcing its shock closure READ MORE: Incredible pictures show new roof being installed at iconic Glasgow venue Glasgow pub reveals 'rebrand' after closing its doors (Image: Supplied) We reported how a plan was submitted to close and rebrand the bar in March. Gael Grain was previously known as The Winkle. A spokesperson for the watering hole said: "With 65 covers in the main pub and a 30-seat private dining room, it's perfect for everyday dining and special occasions alike. "We're now open and delighted to welcome you for lunch, dinner, and private events. "Stay tuned; our much-anticipated brunch and traditional Sunday roast will be launching soon." (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) Sophie Mallon, Chief Marketing Officer of Lomond Leisure Group, said: 'We are absolutely delighted to see this project come to fruition in conjunction with Star Pubs. "Gael & Grain represents a celebration of Scottish heritage through food, drink, and music. "This collaboration has allowed us to create a unique space that truly embodies the spirit of Scotland, and we can't wait to welcome everyone to experience it.'
Scotsman
07-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Heineken: beer brewing giant reopening 100s of UK pubs
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now The brewer is pouring fresh energy into the UK pub scene — and you could be part of it 🍻 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Heineken is investing £40 million to refurbish and reopen over 600 pubs across the UK The move is expected to create around 1,000 new jobs Ten previously closed pubs have already reopened in 2025, with more on the way Heineken calls the investment a 'vote of confidence' in the enduring popularity of British pubs Those interested in running or working in a Heineken pub can apply via An international beer brewer is betting big on the enduring power of the British local. Dutch brewing giant Heineken is investing £40 million to breathe new life into more than 600 pubs across the UK - reopening doors, creating jobs, and signalling a bold show of confidence in a sector that's weathered economic storms. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The investment will flow into Heineken's Star Pubs estate, with the company aiming to reopen dozens of long-shuttered venues and refurbish hundreds more. The initiative is expected to create around 1,000 new jobs and marks the firm's biggest commitment to UK hospitality in years. So far this year, 10 previously closed pubs have already reopened, and more are on the way. In 2023, Heineken brought 62 long-term closed pubs back to life, bringing closures across its 2,400-strong UK estate to their lowest level since before the pandemic. (Photo:) | Getty Images Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs, described the investment as 'a resounding vote of confidence' in British pubs, despite ongoing challenges like rising costs and squeezed consumer budgets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Heineken sees first-hand the value in great British pubs and their ongoing popularity,' he said. 'Even with pressures on disposable income, people are still prioritising a trip to their local, valuing it as an everyday treat and as a way of connecting with their community.' How to apply for jobs at Heineken pubs If you're interested in joining Heineken's Star Pubs & Bars team, there are several avenues to explore, depending on your career aspirations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If you're interested in running a pub, Heineken's Star Pubs & Bars operates two key business models: traditional leased and tenanted agreements, and a more modern managed partnership scheme called 'Just Add Talent.' The latter is aimed at those who want to manage a pub without the financial risk or complexity of full ownership. You can explore current pub opportunities and apply directly through their official website at where they list available venues and explain the application process in detail. For people looking to work in other areas of the company - such as customer service, marketing, logistics, property management, or sales - Heineken advertises roles on its UK careers website at This includes both corporate jobs and positions within the Star Pubs division. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Job openings are also regularly posted on general recruitment platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn, where you can set alerts for Heineken or Star Pubs vacancies in your area. If you have questions about running a pub or leasing one, you can call the Star Pubs recruitment line on 08085 94 95 96 or email pubrecruitment@ For broader career enquiries, Heineken also has a dedicated recruitment inbox at recruitment@ Are you job-hunting? To view thousands of roles available right now, visit the JobsToday website.
Edinburgh Reporter
05-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Official opening of new UK headquarters in Edinburgh
HEINEKEN's new UK headquarters in Edinburgh on St Andrew Square are officially open. The move to the city centre reaffirms the company's commitment to Scotland and to Edinburgh, after 25 years in their former HQ in South Gyle. The company says it has a rich and proud heritage in Scotland dating back to 1749. HEINEKEN UK has invested more than £2million in the building to create a modern, flexible working environment, reflecting evolved ways of working and HEINEKEN UK's strong focus on sustainability. The new headquarters – which is the company's largest office site in the UK – will house the majority of HEINEKEN UK's 500 Scotland based colleagues, who work across a range of departments including Customer Care, Supply Chain, IT, Finance, HR teams and Star Pubs, the company's pub business. The headquarters' opening by First Minister, John Swinney, followed HEINEKEN UK's £4.5 million announcement in Scottish pubs. Focussed across their 230-strong Star Pubs estate which are spread across the country, the company says this further reinforces Scotland's strategic importance to the organisation. The First Minister's visit was hosted by HEINEKEN UK's Managing Director, Boudewijn Haarsma, with Mr Swinney meeting colleagues and making time to pour the first pint of Heineken 0.0 at the new bar. The new office features a range of amenities including wellbeing facilities, an on-site bar, rooftop terraces, and a café. Mr Swinney said: 'Heineken has longstanding ties with the City of Edinburgh stretching back many years, and I am pleased that this is set to continue. 'The opening of this state of the art, sustainable office space is an indication of Heineken's belief that Scotland continues to be an excellent location for businesses. 'I know that this new location will be a success, both for Heineken, the City of Edinburgh and Scotland as a whole.' Mr Haarsma said: 'We are very pleased and proud to have the First Minister with us today as we reassert our company's long-standing association with Edinburgh and Scotland, through the opening of our fantastic new UK headquarters here in the capital. This city-centre location will help us attract and retain the talent that will enable our business to go from strength to strength. Our significant investment into the office with our long-term lease, coupled with our £4.5m investment in our Scottish pub estate announced this week, is a clear statement of our intent, reiterating the vital importance of Scotland to our business. 'Moving our Scottish base to this beautiful square at the heart of Edinburgh is especially significant as it marks a return to the square that Scottish & Newcastle also made its home. It's a place to which Heineken owes much of its presence today in the UK.' Like this: Like Related
Metro
05-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Heineken to invest £40,000,000 to reopen dozens of pubs and create 1,000 jobs
Heineken has said it will create around 1,000 new jobs around the UK as part of a £40 million boost to its pubs business. The project will focus on revamping around a quarter of the 2,400 alehouses run by Star Pubs, the UK subsidiary of the Dutch brewing giant. Around 62 of its pubs which had been marked for long-term closure were reopened last year as the project got underway. Works have to reopen another 10 have either started or been completed so far this year. It comes after a rough few years for the hospitality industry as it struggled to bounce back from Covid-19 and a long period of high inflation. Since the start of 2020, more than 2,000 pubs have been closed around the country. There are now less than 39,000 left across England and Wales, roughly one for every 950 adults. Bosses said Star Pubs 'is on track to have the lowest number of closed pubs since 2019'. More than 600 pubs – a quarter of the chain's 2,400 establishments – will get a makeover to their interior, toilets and gardens. Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs' managing director, said: 'Consistent investment – rather than a stop, start approach – and a strategy of creating great locals have been key to helping our pubs weather the storms of the last few years. 'Heineken sees firsthand the value in great British pubs and their ongoing popularity. 'It recognises that Brits love their locals and that well-invested pubs trade better. 'This £40 million inward investment from a Dutch business into UK pubs is a resounding vote of confidence in the future of the sector. 'Even with pressures on disposable income, people are still prioritising a trip to their local, valuing it as an everyday treat and as a way of connecting with their community.' Mr Mountstevens said pubs have been hurt by a 'disproportionate tax burden', calling on Keir Starmer's government to address this in its next review of rates. Six months after closure, The Cherry Tree, a pub in Witham, Essex dating to the early 1900s, re-launched as a 'family-friendly community village pub' after a £180,000 upgrade. In Aveley, Essex, The Crown & Anchor was closed for a year before a £244,000 transformation into a sports and entertainment bar. A third, The Wildmoor Oak gastro pub near Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, just south of Birmingham, was revived from 18 months of closure after a £513,000 revamp. Mountstevens said: 'Pubs have proved their enduring appeal; after all the disruption of recent years, Star is on track to have the lowest number of closed pubs since 2019. 'It's a tribute to the drive and entrepreneurship of licensees and the importance of continued investment. More Trending 'We've spent more than £200m upgrading and maintaining our pubs over the last five years, and we'll continue to invest to keep them open and thriving. 'Time and again we see the value consumers place on having a good local and how important it is to communities. 'Well-invested pubs run by great licensees are here to stay, but like all locals, they need government support to reduce the enormous tax burden they shoulder.' A similar version of this article was first published on May 6, 2024. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Gerwyn Price is dreaming of a Premier League Darts and Greyhound Derby double success MORE: Pub must pay family £75,000 after false 'dine and dash' accusations on Facebook MORE: The most famous inmates of Alcatraz as Trump orders notorious prison to re-open
