Closure
In this section, we report on restaurant, pub, bar, café, and catering business closures across the UK, and the commercial, operational, and market factors behind them. From high-street exits and group-wide restructures to insolvencies, lease surrenders, and strategic site rationalisations, we cover the real-world impacts of rising costs, labour shortages, shifting demand, and margin pressures. We go beyond headlines to explain why closures are happening and what they mean for the wider sector. Whether you’re benchmarking performance or navigating tough decisions, we provide the context hospitality professionals need to stay informed.
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Sep- 2025 -2 SeptemberPubs and Bars
Heston Blumenthal calls for more gov action to save British pubs
Chef Heston Blumenthal has urged government and licensees to act to halt the closure of pubs across the UK, warning that the “Great British pub” is under threat from rising costs and changing social habits. More than one pub a day closed in the first half of 2025, according to…
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2 SeptemberPubs and Bars
Vacant licensed venue in Helensburgh sold to Amber Taverns
Christie and Co has announced the sale of a vacant licensed property in Helensburgh to pub company Amber Taverns, for an undisclosed amount. Located on James Street in the town centre, the property previously operated as a successful bar and restaurant, formerly known as ‘The Loggie Baird’ until its closure…
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Aug- 2025 -26 AugustPubs and Bars
One in four UK late-night venues has closed since 2020, NTIA warns
The UK has lost nearly 800 late-night venues since 2020, raising concerns over the future of the country’s night-time economy, according to new data from the latest Night Time Economy Monitor. The report, compiled by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) and CGA by NIQ, show the sector has contracted…
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19 AugustRestaurants
Wahaca returns to FY profit as DF Tacos ceases trading
Wahaca has announced plans to cease operations within its DF Tacos brand, and instead focus on the Wahaca brand as the group welcomed rising turnover and profits in its full-year results. For the year ended 30 June 2024, pre-tax profit hit £0.7m, up from a loss of £0.7m the prior…
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11 AugustFood and Drink
Papa John’s Q2 revenues rise 4% to $529m
Papa John’s has reported that group revenues rose 4% to $529m (£393m) in the second quarter to 29 June, mainly driven by higher commissary sales. This comes despite a year-on-year drop in revenues caused by the closure and refranchising of more than 100 restaurants in 2024. Revenues from company-owned international…
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Jul- 2025 -14 JulyRestaurants
Darwin and Wallace FY losses widen to £11.3m under new ownership
Bar-restaurant operator Darwin and Wallace has seen its pre-tax losses widen, from £1.9m to £11.3m in the 70-week period to 30 September 2024, after restructuring its estate and operations under new ownership. According to its latest filing at Companies House, the results were affected by an impairment charge of £7.3m,…
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11 JulyPubs and Bars
Britain faces a pub closure every day in 2025, industry warns
One pub is expected to close every day in 2025 across Great Britain, threatening more than 5,600 jobs, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has warned. The trade body, which represents more than 20,000 pubs, estimated 378 closures this year in England, Wales and Scotland, up from 350 in…
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Jun- 2025 -19 JuneCatering Companies
Chartwells secures catering contracts with five Halliard Trust schools
Education catering provider Chartwells has secured contracts with five schools in the Halliard Trust, expanding its footprint in Cheshire. The five schools include Broken Cross Primary Academy and Nursery, Adlington Primary School, Gawsworth Primary School, Nether Alderley Primary School and Whirley Primary School. The new agreements follow the closure of…
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May- 2025 -13 MayRestaurants
Rare Restaurants to shutter last remaining M Restaurant
Rare Restaurants is reportedly set to permanently shut its last remaining M Restaurant site next week after 10 years of operation, City AM has reported.The move comes after founder Martin Williams stepped down from parent company Rare Restaurants last October. Williams, who left the company to focus on his next…
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Mar- 2025 -28 MarchFood and Drink
Chopstix closes Oxford Street venue
Chopstix has closed its Oxford Street site as the business seeks a new location for the QSR brand on the street. The Central London location, which first opened in 2002, was the debut Chopstix site launched by co-founders Sam Elia and Menashe Sadik. The Oxford Street site closure comes as…
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