Star opens 200th JAT venue after £350k investment
The Hesketh in Cheadle Hulme, near Stockport in Greater Manchester had been closed for 18 months and its opening has created up to 20 new jobs. Star aims to reach 260 JAT sites by the end of 2027.
According to the pub company, the JAT model contracts with operators for them to provide management services to run Star’s pub in return for a weekly fixed revenue percentage and an uncapped quarterly 20% profit share with an ingoing cost of £4,000 - £3,000 of which is a refundable deposit.
The latest opening, the Hesketh, is a Premium Local – one of the three different JAT styles of pub, which are Community and High Street. Each category is determined by its location, amenities and customer profile.
Its refurbishment included a complete internal and external makeover with seating outside doubled to 64.
Company investment
There are now zones inside meaning the pub can be used for multiple occasions featuring a new games area, dining area and bar.
Moreover, there are now TVs throughout and the kitchen has been upgraded to cater for more covers with food predicted to make up 30% of sales at the Greater Manchester site.
Star Pubs operations director Mick Howard said: “Our trading figures, up 4.2% this year to date, are proof JAT pubs resonate with pubgoers.
“Mainly based in suburban and estate locations and offering sports, live entertainment and often food, they give communities a great British pub on their doorstep.
“We invest heavily in upgrading facilities and introducing live sports and it’s paying off. We had a great Euros, we also keep the JAT offer fresh, evolving menus and offering premium drinks in keeping with consumer trends, to ensure good returns for operators."
Expansion plans
He added: “We’re primarily a leased and tenanted business and will continue to be so however, the managed operator market is very attractive to those wanting to run a pub.
“It requires minimal ingoing investment and is low risk and low cost with high support and earnings potential.
“Our own model with its weekly fixed revenue percentage and an uncapped quarterly 20% profit share appeals to would-be publicans, ensuring we have operators in line to run our JAT pubs in line with our expansion plans.
“[Some] 30% of all our applicants are for JAT pubs even though they only make up 8% of our estate.”
Last August, the pub company revealed plans to open 250 JAT sites by 2026 and Howard explained more about the move in an interview with The Morning Advertiser.
