Beer producer Heineken UK has announced its investment in Star Pubs & Bars this year has reached £44m.

The investment is reported to be more than double the amount that was invested last year and it brings the company’s total expenditure on pubs to almost £140m over the last five years.

Heineken UK managing director David Forde said: “We are passionate supporters of the Great British Pub and believe that well-invested pubs run by skilled and motivated operators will continue to prosper.

“We believe that well-invested pubs run by skilled and motivated operators will continue to prosper.”

“We believe that our commitment to investment, and understanding of consumer trends, will help our licensees’ businesses to keep growing and ensure that the Great British Pub remains at the heart of British life for generations to come.”

The investment programme is expected to benefit around a quarter of Star’s 2,900 pubs and includes 140 major capital expenditure (capex) projects with an average spend of £170k per site.

The UK’s Secretary of State for Business Greg Clark said: “From pop-up breweries to historic watering holes, pubs are at the heart of communities and play a vital role in local economies. This record investment by Heineken and their creation of 1,000 new British jobs is another significant vote of confidence in the UK economy.”

Heineken’s investment also demonstrates the significant contribution made by pubs to the UK economy. Recently, the Coachman in Wickham re-opened following an investment of £550,000.