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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Jul- 2020 -6 JulyCoronavirus
Freak Scene Soho to close permanently
Pan-Asian restaurant Freak Scene in London’s Soho has announced its permanent closure post-lockdown. In an Instagram post, founder Scott Hallsworth said: “Freak Scene in Soho will not be reopening. “A combination of expensive real estate, greedy landlords and Covid-19 means we’ve now come to the end of chapter two of…
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6 JulyCoronavirus
Hospitality sector calls for business investment package
Industry leaders in hospitality have urged the government to commit to an “ambitious” programme of business support and investment to stimulate the revival of the sector as restrictions begin to ease. In a letter signed by 120 hospitality leaders, the government has been called on to “act decisively” for a…
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2 JulyRestaurants
Shake Shack launches in Brighton through Deliveroo Editions
American burger chain Shake Shack has joined Deliveroo Editions in Brighton. Customers will be able to order meals from Shake Shack, all cooked and prepared at Deliveroo’s purpose built, delivery-only, super kitchen in Brighton. Items on the menu include the brand’s signature ShackBurger, crinkle cut fries and cheese sauce. Shake…
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2 JulyNews
Mitchells and Butlers swings to £121m loss
Mitchells and Butlers sales fell by 12.4% to £1.04bn in the half-year ended 11 April, while adjusted operating profit was £108m, down from £151m the year prior. In light of the pandemic and consequent lockdown, the group fell to a pre-tax loss of £121m. The group also made an operating…
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1 JulyComment
Will technology become a caterer’s best friend when doors reopen?
July 4th will undoubtedly be a day of celebration not just for hospitality professionals, but for the whole country, as bars, pubs and restaurants are given the green light to open their doors once more. But happiness will be mingled with apprehension for many restaurant owners, wondering how social distancing…
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1 JulyBusiness
Upper Crust owner SSP set to cut 5,000 jobs amid dwindling demand
Some 5,000 jobs at Upper Crust owner SSP could be axed as the company faces dwindling demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic. SSP said the impact on passenger travel arising from Covid-19 resulted in the closure of almost all of its units in the UK. It added that its intention…
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1 JulyCoronavirus
Investment into hospitality sector tumbles as coronavirus hits
Business investment in hotels and restaurants has fallen by more than 6% in a year as coronavirus “ravages” the sector, analysis by specialist tax relief consultancy Catax shows. Total business investment in the sector fell by 6% to £1.26bn in the first quarter of 2020, down from £1.34bn for the…
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1 JulyCoronavirus
Castle Terrace to close due to Covid-19’s ‘devastating effect’
Edinburgh-based restaurant, Castle Terrace, has announced it will not reopen post-lockdown, attributing the Covid-19 pandemic as having a “devastating effect on the hospitality industry”. The restaurant, which opened 10 years ago by chefs Domonic Jack and Tom Kitchin, revealed the news via an Instagram post. Jack said: “Sadly today [30…
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Jun- 2020 -30 JuneCafes and Coffee Shops
Caffè Nero to reopen 400 stores to eat in from 4 July
Caffè Nero has announced it will reopen 400 stores for eat-in from the 4 July. The stores will open with protocols in place to ensure its employees and customers remain safe and in accordance with government advice and social distancing guidance. The stores will offer Caffè Nero’s coffee and other…
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29 JuneRestaurants
TGI Fridays announces reopening of 66 sites on 6 July
TGI Fridays has announced the reopening of 66 of its UK restaurants on 6 July. The company said it will also reveal a “fresh new brand” which will be showcased at six specially selected restaurants, dubbed ‘Famous at Fridays’, with elements introduced across the rest of the estate. These new…
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