Belhaven Pub Partners Opens First Franchise Pub in Scotland
The Tarbet in Edinburgh – formally known as The Centurion – has re-opened as a Nest Pub after a £285,00 investment by pub owner Belhaven Pub Partners.
Earlier this year, Greene King Pub Partners, the leased, tenanted, and franchise division of Greene King in which Belhaven Pub Partners sits within, announced its plans to bring its successful franchise pub concepts to Scotland for the first time.
The Tarbet becomes the first in a pipeline of openings across Scotland Belhaven Pub Partners has planned this year, as Greene King looks to continue the expansion of its Hive Pubs and Nest Pubs franchise concepts.
Thanks to the £285,000 investment, The Tarbet has been fully refurbished to deliver the Nest Pubs concept. Upgrades to the pub include relocating the bar to create a more spacious, open-plan layout, along with significant interior and exterior upgrades in line with the Nest Pubs look and feel.
As a Nest Pub, The Tarbet will offer Sky Sports, TNT Sport and Premier Sports, with sport being a key feature of the Nest Pubs concept. Alongside this, the pub will also provide a regular calendar of entertainment ranging from pub quizzes to live music and karaoke.
The Tarbet will also serve a wide drinks range including beer, ale, wines, spirits, coffee and low and no options, as well as local favourites like Tennent's, Innis & Gunn and Belhaven Best.
Central to the Nest Pubs concept, the pub will also provide easy to serve pizzas as a food option for hungry pub-goers.
The Tarbet will be operated by franchisee Nola Enterprises, led by Pauline Huggins and Karen Robertson. The team previously operated the pub when it was known as The Centurion and bring extensive experience in pub operations.
Due to its pipeline of franchise pub openings in Scotland over the course of 2025 and beyond, Belhaven Pub Partners is actively recruiting those with leased, tenanted or managed pub experience who want a cost-effective and straightforward way to run their own pub business, with enhanced support from Belhaven Pub Partners.
A franchisee in Scotland can take over their own franchise pub from as little as just £3,000 ingoing cost, which covers agreement fees, induction, and on-site training. Earnings are based on a percentage of food and drink sales, with additional opportunities for profit-sharing and performance-based bonuses.
Hive Pubs, Greene King’s first franchise concept, are welcoming local pubs with a buzz located in the hearts of the communities they serve. They provide a great range of drinks and food for every occasion alongside a regular programme of entertainment and live sport.
Nest Pubs, Greene King’s second franchise concept, are reliable wet-led pubs predominantly located on busy high streets and in communities, providing great value, an excellent experience and regular sport and entertainment along with a simple pizza food offer that is easy for operators to serve.
All new Belhaven Pub Partners franchise pubs will benefit from six-figure investments to ensure each pub is ready to deliver its franchise branded concept. All Belhaven Pub Partners franchise pubs will also benefit from Sky Sports, TNT Sport and Premier Sports, along with a budget to provide entertainment for their customers. entertainment budget to host quizzes, live music, and karaoke.
Penny Baldwin, Operations Director for Greene King Pub Partners, said:
“We’re delighted to have our first franchise pub in Scotland up and running! This is the first in a pipeline of franchise pub openings we have planned for Scotland over the course of 2025.
“Our franchise pubs provide a cost-effective and straightforward way to run your own pub business with a full suite of support from Belhaven and Greene King.
“We are actively searching for franchise Partners in Scotland and across England as well. Anyone with pub management experience who is interested in running their own pub business should get in touch!”
Pauline Huggins and Karen Robertson, franchisees of The Tarbet, said:
“We are so proud to become the first Belhaven Pub Partners franchisees! The franchise agreement and Nest Pubs concept mean we have a ready-to-trade pub business with full investment and support from Belhaven Pub Partners.
“Having previously operated The Tarbet on a tenancy basis when it was known as The Centurion, we are excited for this next chapter where we can continue to serve the community we are so close to with this brilliant new franchise concept, the very first in Scotland!”