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 -30 JulyRestaurants
Rick Stein’s Marlborough restaurant saved amid 25% rent reduction
The Rick Stein Marlborough restaurant has been saved from closure after the landlord came forward and agreed a 25% reduction in rent to save the business. In June 2020, it was announced that the restaurant would be forced to close its doors permanently, due to the increased financial strain during…
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29 JulyCoronavirus
Bermondsey’s Loyal Tavern to permanently close
Chef Tom Cencil has announced the permanent closure of Bermondsey-based restaurant and bar Loyal Tavern. In an Instagram post, Cencil attributed the closure as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic. He said: “It’s with a broken heart and a decision that I thought I would never have to take,…
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28 JulyFood and Drink
Greggs swings to £65.2m HY loss
Greggs has reported a pre-tax loss of £65.2m during the 26 weeks to June 27, compared with a £36.7m profit last year. During the six month period, the food-to-go specialist reported a 45% decrease in like-for-like sales to £300.6m, compared with £546.3m in the same period last year. Gross profit…
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23 JulyBusiness
Chilango set to call in administrators
Mexican fast food chain Chilango is reportedly set to call in administrators, potentially putting 152 jobs at risk of redundancy. According to The Guardian, the move could lead to the closure of Chilango’s 12 restaurants located in London, Manchester and Birmingham. Further to this, investors who contributed to the group’s…
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22 JulyCoronavirus
Winchester’s River Cottage Kitchen permanently closes
Celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Kitchen in Winchester has announced its permanent closure as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In a statement on its website, the restaurant said: “We all face unprecedented challenges from Covid-19 and with a heavy heart, we have made the very difficult and sad…
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20 JulyRestaurants
Zizzi and Ask Italian to close 75 sites, 1,200 jobs at risk
Some 75 Zizzi and Ask Italian sites are set to close after the restaurant’s owner, Azzurri Group, was acquired by TowerBrook Capital Partners. The move has placed 1,200 jobs at risk and is the result of “unprecedented levels” of disruption in recent months as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.…
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14 JulyCoronavirus
UK GDP slumped 19.1% in three months to May
GDP fell by 19.1% in the three months to May 2020, as government restrictions on movement dramatically reduced economic activity. According to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), this was driven by falls in nearly every industry, most notably by food and beverage service activities, which fell…
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14 JulyRestaurants
Michelin-starred restaurant Pensons to reopen on 15 July
Michelin Star restaurant, Pensons, has announced the reopening of its site from tomorrow (15 July). The only Michelin-starred restaurant on the Herefordshire/Worcestershire/Shropshire border has revealed the social distancing measures put in place, which includes tables being “much more widely spaced” than the government guidance and the front of house team…
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10 JulyCoronavirus
Oakman Inns appoints new CEO and chair as sales slide 17%
Oakman Inns has announced a series of board changes including the appointment of Dermot King as chief executive, also revealing that FY sales fell by 17% due to Covid-19. Prior to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Oakman revealed it was “trading well” with LFL sales up 4.3% year to…
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10 JulyCafes and Coffee Shops
Cereal Killer Cafè closes two London sites
The founders of the Cereal Killer Cafè have announced the permanent closure of two of their London sites, attributing the coronavirus lockdown and industry uncertainty to the decision. In a statement posted on Facebook, brothers Alan and Gary Keery said they would be saying “Cheerio” to their cafes, “for now”,…
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