The £450k refurbishment of the Grade II listed pub is one of Star’s largest Just Add Talent (JAT) investments of 2026.
Star expects to reach £2.5m in JAT investments across 13 sites by the end of Q1, representing its fastest start to the year for new managed operator openings.
Located next to The Hall of Cornwall, the reopening also benefited from a grant under the New Life for City Buildings project, funded by the Truro Town Deal, aimed at stimulating the city’s nighttime economy.
Full refurb
The Market Inn has reopened as a traditional wet-led pub, with restored Victorian features including a Dutch gable and glazed tile façade.
Internally, the site has been fully refurbished, combining heritage features with updated decor and dispense technology designed to improve draught quality while reducing waste, water and energy use.
Entertainment is a core part of its offer, with live music, interactive quizzes and games, in line with the JAT model’s focus on driving footfall and dwell time.
‘Strong momentum’
Star Pubs operations director Mick Howard said the Truro reopening reflected strong early momentum for the managed arm: “It’s great to have broken ground on so many JAT projects so early in the year and to be opening our first in Cornwall.”
The reopening forms part of Star’s wider investment drive. The Heineken-owned pubco committed £40m to upgrading its estate last year, including £4.5m on garden and kerb appeal improvements across 171 pubs.
The group plans to convert a further 35 sites to the JAT model this year, taking the managed operator estate to more than 250 pubs.
The expansion comes amid continued recruitment momentum in its leased and tenanted division, with January applications up 10% year on year.
