Believ has formed a strategic partnership with Marston’s to expand electric vehicle charging across the pub and hotel operator’s UK estate from late 2026. The fully funded programme will introduce Standard, Standard Plus and Ultra-Rapid chargers at new locations, complementing Marston’s existing network of 542 chargers at 195 sites. At least one accessible charging bay will be installed at participating sites. The partnership builds on a hospitality charging estate that has supported more than 150 million electric vehicle miles since 2018 and saved over 33,600 tonnes of CO2.

A Larger Destination Charging Estate

Marston’s operates more than 1,300 pubs, bars and inns nationwide, including sites with accommodation that can support both shorter visits and overnight stays. Its existing rapid and ultra-fast network is described as the largest in the UK pub sector, placing charging alongside food, drink and accommodation at locations already used by local communities and travellers.

The agreement gives Marston’s a second charging partner as it continues to add infrastructure across its estate. Initial installations are expected to go live in late 2026, with the rollout intended to bring charging provision to further pub and hotel locations.

The project responds to the role that destination charging can play for drivers who cannot charge at home or have no access to off-street parking. Pubs and hotels offer time for vehicles to be charged while customers are using the venue, making the model suited to a range of dwell times.

Megan Goldstein, Head of Transaction Management at Believ, said:

“Marston’s pubs and hotels are a perfect match for EV charging, giving drivers the chance to top up while they’re already enjoying a meal or fully charge while staying overnight.”

Charging Speeds For Different Stays

Believ will install a mix of charging speeds selected around the expected length of customer visits. Standard and Standard Plus charging will support longer stays, while Ultra-Rapid charge points are intended for drivers making shorter pub and restaurant visits. The terminology follows updated definitions published by the Department for Transport, under which charging speeds previously described as ‘slow’ and ‘fast’ are now classified as Standard and Standard Plus.

Accessibility is included in the planned installation model, with at least one accessible bay at each participating site. This provides a practical consideration as public charging networks broaden, particularly at community venues designed to serve a wide range of visitors.

The charging offer will be designed around the physical and operational characteristics of individual locations, rather than applying one charger type across the portfolio. That approach reflects the varied role of Marston’s estate, from local pubs to destination sites and hotels.

Fully Funded Delivery Model

Believ’s role covers site assessment, design, installation, operation and ongoing maintenance. By funding the infrastructure, the charge point operator removes upfront capital expenditure for Marston’s and takes responsibility for the operational delivery of the network.

For venue operators, this type of arrangement can make it easier to deploy charging at scale while maintaining a focus on customer-facing hospitality operations. The model also gives the pub group a route to build its network further without placing the initial investment burden on individual sites.

Megan Goldstein, Head of Transaction Management at Believ, added:

“It’s a strong vote of confidence for Believ to be chosen by such an established and experienced partner as Marston’s. By choosing Believ’s fully funded, end-to-end model, Marston’s can deliver scalable EV infrastructure across its estate without upfront cost, while supporting customer experience, sustainability ambitions and long-term value.”

Building On Renewable Powered Charging

Since 2018, Marston’s EV-enabled pubs have supplied enough electricity to keep vehicles on the road for more than 150 million miles. Every charger in that network is powered by renewable energy, according to the company, and the estate has saved more than 33,600 tonnes of CO2.

The Believ partnership adds to Marston’s stated ambition to reach Net Zero by 2040. Extending charging to more sites can give drivers greater confidence in using electric vehicles for local journeys, leisure trips and overnight travel, while allowing hospitality venues to provide an added service to customers.

Chris White, Energy Manager at Marston’s, said:

“Since 2018, we’ve built one of the largest rapid and ultra-fast EV charging network in UK hospitality, and we have no intention of slowing down.

“Bringing Believ on board as our second EV charging partner gives us the platform to extend that network to new sites across our estate, for the benefit of our guests and the communities we serve. Their fully funded, end-to-end model removes the barriers to doing this at scale, and we’re excited to give even more customers the ability to charge while they visit our pubs.”

Convenience Across Communities

The partnership positions pub and hotel venues as useful charging destinations within the wider UK network. By combining a range of charging speeds, accessible bays and renewable-powered electricity with established customer destinations, Believ and Marston’s are setting out a practical expansion programme for EV drivers across more communities.

With the first sites due from late 2026, the collaboration represents the next stage in Marston’s charging estate and gives Believ another large-scale private-sector deployment. The focus on fully funded provision is particularly notable, pairing a mature hospitality footprint with an installation and operations model designed for network growth.