THE refurbishment of an empty pub in Aberdour has moved a step closer after brewing giant Heineken announced plans to re-open 62 of its boozers as part of a £39 million investment.
The Cedar Inn has been shut for around five years but it has "lots of potential" and the hope is that spending money on major improvements will attract a new tenant - and customers.
Star Pubs and Bars is the pub division of Heineken UK, which has around 2,400 sites, and planning permission to refurbish the premises on Shore Road was approved by Fife Council in July last year.
At that time, it was suggested that the "minimum ingoing costs" would be £175,533.
A spokesperson for Star Pubs told the Press: “Subject to recruiting a new operator to lease The Cedar Inn, we would like to undertake a major refurbishment to reopen it as a top quality pub with a fantastic food offer serving both the local community and visitors to the area.
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"The plans would open up the interior of the pub, creating a beautiful open plan bar and dining area.
"The exterior would be completely renovated and there would be a garden at the rear with additional seating at the front.
"The new operator would have the opportunity to develop a letting rooms business above the pub.
"Aberdour is a lovely village in a stunning location and The Cedar Inn has lots of potential."
Last summer the council gave the go-ahead for the installation of new windows, doors, an access ramp and pergola, with the existing conservatory at the pub to be removed.
The work will include a complete redecoration and refurbishment, with new carpets, upholstery, fixtures and fittings.
The kitchen is to be overhauled with the aim that, once a new tenant is found, they could offer a full menu and extensive range of drinks, as well as live music at the weekend, a weekly pub quiz and live sport on the TV.
Previously owned by Punch Taverns, the Cedar was bought by Heineken in August 2017 and it put forward refurbishment plans that were approved in July 2019.
It's barely been open since as pubs and bars have struggled with rising costs and fewer customers. The annual rent is listed as £48,132.
This week Heineken said it wanted to re-open 62 premises in its Star Pubs estate, and carry out improvements at another 612, in a £39m spending plan that would create more than 1,000 jobs.
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Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs, said: “People are looking for maximum value from visits to their local.
"They want great surroundings and food and drink as well as activities that give them an extra reason to go out, such as sports screenings and entertainment.
"Creating fantastic locals that can accommodate a range of occasions meets this need and helps pubs fulfil their role as vital third spaces where communities can come together.
“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."
Anyone interested in taking on The Cedar Inn can see further details at www.starpubs.co.uk or call 08085 949596.
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