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.

Jul- 2021 -

29 July

Pubs and Bars

Mitchells and Butlers reports ‘volatile’ trading post-lockdown

Mitchells and Butlers has reported “volatile” sales since the reopening of its estate on 17 May 2021. In a recent trading update for the 43 weeks ended 24 July 2021, the group said total sales, including 18 weeks of enforced closure, were at 35% of pre-Covid levels. In the first…
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21 July

Features

Fixing the staffing shortage goes beyond changing self-isolation rules

It’s not new news, the hospitality sector is facing a staffing shortage crisis. A study conducted by CGA and Fourth last month found nine in 10 hospitality business owners expect employee shortages this coming year. Yet, the problem persists without showing any signs of letting up. With the 19 July…
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15 July

Business

Hospitality sector still faces ‘very real’ issues, says CGA

Despite some 79% of business leaders expressing optimism for the future, they also face the “very real” issues of staff shortages, rising costs and high debt levels, according to the latest Future Shock report from CGA and UKHospitality. Karl Chessell, CGA’s business unit director for hospitality operators and food, EMEA,…
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14 July

Trade Associations

UKH Scotland calls for further financial support

UKHospitality Scotland has called for further financial support for the hospitality sector as the industry prepares to come out of lockdown on 19 July 2021. The news comes as first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that the country will move to Level 0 and see some restrictions lifted. As part of…
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6 July

Trade Associations

Hospitality sector praises restriction easing announcement

The UK’s hospitality sector has overwhelmingly issued its support behind the government’s decision to scrap almost all existing Covid-19 restrictions in England by 19 July. This includes limits on the number of people who can meet together, legal requirements on wearing face masks, and social distancing in pubs and bars.…
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2 July

Trade Associations

UKH demands review of isolation guidelines

UKHospitality (UKH) is urging the government to immediately review and amend its test and trace guidelines regarding self-isolation. The trade association revealed that the current guidelines are “massively disruptive” for businesses in the sector, which has led to venue closures and reduced operating hours. Furthermore, UKH warned of the damage…
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Jun- 2021 -

30 June

Comment

Flexi-apprenticeships are the answer to the dwindling hospitality workforce

Whether it was a quick bite at a café, a meal at a restaurant, or a pint at the pub, customers were quick to return to their favourite bars and eateries when indoor hospitality was allowed to reopen in May. However, while this surge in bookings has contributed to the UK’s…
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30 June

Food and Drink

Cake Box FY21 revenue climbs 16.9% to £21.9m

Cream cake retailer Cake Box saw revenues spike 16.9% year-on-year to £21.9m for the full year ended 31 March 2021. The group’s adjusted pre-tax profit also jumped in the period, up 24.8% from £3.8m in FY20 to £4.7m in FY21. Cake Box’s strong performance was driven by an 84% growth…
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28 June

Restaurants

Bill Wyman closes Sticky Fingers after 32 years

Former Rolling Stones bassist, Bill Wyman has announced the closure of his London restaurant Sticky Fingers after 32 years of trading. The venue which first opened in 1989 was decorated with rock and roll memorabilia and was named after the band’s 1971 album. The restaurant, which is located on High…
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8 June

Government

Gov must ‘find a solution’ to £2bn rent debt, says UKH chief

Kate Nicholls, head of UKHospitality, has called on the government to work alongside the sector, landlords and shareholders to find a solution to the £2bn plus in rent debt that “hangs around the neck” of the industry. Giving evidence to the House of Commons Treasury Committee hearing on Monday (7…
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