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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Jun- 2020 -8 JunePubs and Bars
Government green light needed to guarantee fresh beer in pubs for re-opening, says BBPA
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has today called on the government to ‘Get Britain Brewing Again’, by giving the UK’s 2,000 breweries sufficient notice and a definitive date for when pubs will reopen, enabling them to brew fresh beer and get it into pubs ready for their re-opening.…
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8 JuneCoronavirus
The Restaurant Group confirms restructuring talks
The Restaurant Group has confirmed it has entered discussions with its landlords regarding the “potential restructuring” of its Leisure estate. The group’s Leisure Division, which includes its Frankie and Benny’s, Chiquito and Garfunkel’s sites, does not impact trading across the group’s Wagamama chain. It comes only days after news that…
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4 JuneCoronavirus
#RaiseTheBar campaign says UK risks ‘mass redundancies’ through furlough scheme
The newly launched #RaiseTheBar campaign has warned that the furloughing scheme is “concealing the true picture of unemployment in the UK”, providing financial support to employees whilst their employers are facing closure. The campaign believes adjustments to the furloughing scheme have created an “unlevel playing field” of support, meaning businesses…
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4 JuneNews
Young’s plans reopening amid ‘impacted’ sales
Young’s saw its profit slump 11.3% in the year ended 30 March 2020, after the pandemic had a “significant impact” on its full-year results. The pub operator said that lockdown had a “disproportionate” impact on profits, estimated to be £7.7m due to the “limited opportunity” for mitigating actions. In addition,…
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3 JuneCoronavirus
Frankie and Benny’s to close ‘large number’ of sites
The Restaurant Group has reportedly told staff that a “large number” of Frankie and Benny’s sites will not reopen when lockdown lifts. According to an email seen by the BBC, the owners of the casual dining chain said that many sites are “no longer viable to trade and will remain…
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May- 2020 -22 MayCoronavirus
TGI Fridays to reopen a further 12 sites for click and collect services
TGI Fridays has announced the reopening of a further 12 of its UK sites for click and collect and delivery services amid the Covid-19 pandemic. From next week (27 May), the restaurant will be reopening its Aberdeen Beach, Bolton, Braintree, Coventry, Cribbs Causeway, Doncaster, Fareham, Romford sites, alongside Glasgow’s Buchanan…
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18 MayCoronavirus
Petitions to wind up restaurants rocket 165%
The number of petitions to wind up restaurants has rocketed 165% to 53 in the year ended 20 April, according to the latest figures from UHY Hacker Young. Such petitions, that have been brought forward over bills left unpaid by struggling restaurants, are expected to see a further surge once…
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15 MayPubs and Bars
Greene King launches delivery and takeaway services amid pandemic
Pub company and brewer Greene King has announced the launch of its delivery and takeaway service from a select number of its London sites. The group, which has over 3,000 pubs, hotels and restaurants across the UK, will be reopening 29 of its sites from next week (22 May) amid…
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14 MayCoronavirus
Marston’s agrees £70m banking facility
Pub operator Marston’s has revealed it has agreed a £70m banking facility to help improve its liquidity during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In a Covid-19 specific trading update it said it has taken a “highly prudent approach” in its management of the business during this period. It added that all…
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14 MayPubs and Bars
BBPA welcomes new task force for pubs and restaurants
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed the creation of five new ministerial-led task forces to develop plans for how and when closed sectors can reopen safely, following publication of the UK’s roadmap to rebuild Britain. One of the new task forces will specifically look at pubs and…
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