Star Pubs has reached a milestone with the reopening of its 250th Just Add Talent (JAT) managed operator pub, The Pig on the Wall in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, following a £212,000 refurbishment.
The opening takes the company’s managed operator estate to 250 pubs ahead of its end-of-year target, with The Pig on the Wall becoming its 23rd Just Add Talent venue in the North West.
The investment has transformed the property into a community pub offering food and live sports, with improvements to both its interior and outdoor facilities.
Works have included extensive internal redecoration, new furniture and televisions, the installation of a commercial kitchen and upgrades to the pub’s accommodation.
The exterior has also undergone refurbishment, including new signage and improvements to the beer garden, which now features Cruzcampo-branded furniture.
Caren Geering, Central Operations Director at Star Pubs, said:
“The Pig on the Wall is ideally suited to becoming a JAT pub as it is located in the heart of the community and is the only pub within a 10-minute walk of it. The addition of TVs showing live sports and focus on food now ensure there’s something for everyone. The new look, offer and much respected new operators with their local connections are a winning combination for the pub and residents.
“Our JAT pubs are community focussed, hosting events and raising funds for good causes. The low-cost and low-risk model with high levels of support and earnings potential ensures our JAT pubs are a popular choice for prospective operators. Our close involvement in the running of these pubs provides much valued insight which we share with our wider L&T estate alongside great deals that we’ve negotiated for our JAT pubs.”
The pub will be operated on behalf of Star Pubs by Sylvia Morris, who brings more than 40 years of experience in the industry, including 17 years running pubs in Droylsden.
She will be joined by her son Matthew, who began his hospitality career as a bottle washer aged 16 and will take responsibility for back-office operations.
The Just Add Talent model provides operators with a managed pub business supported by Star Pubs, allowing them to focus on customer service and day-to-day operations.
Sylvia Morris said:
“In the past I have been responsible for everything. The JAT model takes this pressure off, enabling me to put all my energy into building the business, service delivery and making customers happy. The joy of JAT is that there’s a team behind you, there’s always someone to speak to. It’s well-structured and there are clear expectations of what is required of operators. It provides me with security, and the ability to enjoy the front-of-house, what I love doing most. After 40 years in the trade I didn’t think I’d learn anything from the training – I was wrong. It was really beneficial as so much thought has gone into every aspect of running a JAT pub. My eyes were opened, in a nice way.
“I don’t intend retiring any time soon, but this will be my last pub, and running a JAT pub in Droylesden will be a nice end to my career. Taking on The Pig on the Wall also brings me back to the town where I first started in the industry and where I have family still.”
The reopening follows continued investment in Star Pubs’ Just Add Talent estate during 2026, with the company converting existing leased and tenanted properties into managed operator venues.
The programme has included investment in food-led community pubs alongside wet-led venues offering sports, entertainment and other facilities.
Reaching 250 managed operator pubs represents a further stage in Star Pubs’ expansion of the Just Add Talent model, while the refurbishment of The Pig on the Wall brings an upgraded food, drink and entertainment offering to the local community.
Associated Articles
200 Just Add Talent Pub Now Open
Star Pubs previously reached its 200th Just Add Talent milestone with the reopening of The Hesketh in Cheadle Hulme following a £350,000 refurbishment.
Star Pubs Opens First of 35 New JAT Sites in 2026
Star Pubs announced plans to expand its managed operator estate with 35 new Just Add Talent venues during 2026, beginning with The Earl of Beaconsfield in Cambridge.
Accessible Hospitality Alliance launches Mediterranean Accessible Hospitality Hub
Star Pubs Completes Biggest JAT Refurbishment of 2026 at The Engine House
Star Pubs completed a £542,000 refurbishment of The Engine House in Exeter, its largest Just Add Talent investment of 2026.
Star Pubs Completes Biggest JAT Refurbishment of 2026 at The Engine House
