The Engine House, formerly the Angel, has reopened this week after a £542,000 investment and two-year closure.
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The project has converted the site into a Just Add Talent pub, Star’s managed operator model, and marks the company’s 26th major JAT revamp so far this year.
The pub has also been renamed the Engine House to reflect its new direction and location near Exeter Central Station.
Wet-led site
The site is wet-led, in line with around half of Star’s new JAT pubs in 2026.
The refurbishment has updated the outside of the 1870s pub and transformed the interior, it now includes a public bar, lounge area and snug, alongside a new sound system and drop-down tables to create space for live music and late-night dancing.
The drinks offer includes premium lager, cocktails and low and no options, with the pub targeting shoppers, workers and evening trade in Exeter city centre.
The site will be run by 28-year-old Greg Gearing, who started as a member of bar staff at a JAT pub in London three years ago.
Rob Clark, head of property for Star Pubs, said: “We’re delighted with the performance of our wet-led JAT conversions this year. Newly refurbished pubs are in high demand from would-be operators. The JAT model is a great way for first-time operators to get experience of running a pub.”
Clark said Star was keen to promote people from within and had developed an academy for team members looking to progress.
He added: “It’s brilliant to see team members like Greg using our training to advance their careers and achieve their ambitions.”
Estate investment
Clark said Star’s JAT refurbishment programme had supported a range of pubs this year, from estate locals to listed inns.
He added: “Whilst we replicate proven design concepts to ensure the success of each business, every refurbishment is also tailored to the individual building.
“The Engine House is no exception. We’ve taken care to develop a modern pub that appeals to the younger late-night market but is sympathetic to the historic building and brings out its significant features.”
Star Pubs, part of Heineken UK, has around 2,350 pubs, with about 240 operating under the Just Add Talent model.
The investment follows a wider year of estate development for Star, including a £6.69m programme of garden and exterior upgrades across 850 sites and a £280,000 JAT refurbishment in Edinburgh.
It also comes after reports Heineken’s Star Pubs & Bars business is in talks to acquire around 300 Stonegate pubs in a deal potentially worth £300m.
