Closure
In this section, we report on restaurant, pub, bar, cafรฉ, 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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May- 2020 -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 ยฃ70m banking facility
Pub operator Marstonโs has revealed it has agreed a ยฃ70m 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 โhighly prudent approachโ 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 UKโs roadmap to rebuild Britain. One of the new task forces will specifically look at pubs and…
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14 MayComment
Looking ahead: How to ensure customers feel safe and confident post-lockdown
Right now, the hospitality industry is navigating completely unknown territory. Not only are most operators dealing with the temporary closure of their venues, but this crisis is likely toย completely transform the way hospitality businesses will operate after lockdown restrictions are lifted.ย When thinking about life post-lockdown, itโs not just…
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7 MayPubs and Bars
April could have been โbest for pub trade in a decadeโ, says BBPA
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has revealed that April 2020 could have been the โbest for the beer and pub trade in a decadeโ, if it werenโt for the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. The trade association, which tracks sales of beer in pubs and shops, forecasts that 35…
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5 MayCoronavirus
Costa reopens 29 stores for delivery and drive thruโs amid Covid-19 pandemic
Costa Coffee has reopened 12 stores for delivery alongside 17 drive-thru lanes amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The news came as Costa made the decision to open two drive-thru lanes and two stores for delivery only in line with the latest government advice. Costa said whilst the drive-thrus are open to…
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4 MayCoronavirus
Beer sales collapsed 40% in March amid Covid-19 crisis, says BBPA
Pub beer sales collapsed by 40% in March 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, according to new figures from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) reveal. The BBPA said the โstark decreaseโ shows the immediate and devastating impact that lockdown is having on the British pub. Last…
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1 MayComment
The coronavirus diaries: Piers Baker
Monday 16 March, 2020 Lunch is a normal affair, 50 lovely guests in, looked after by our brilliant team. Extra vigilance being exercised to ensure the governmentโs advice is being followed. A smattering of the afternoon drinkers in, numbers had been down for a week or so, understandably. At around…
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Apr- 2020 -30 AprilCoronavirus
JD Wetherspoon targets June reopening
JD Wetherspoon has stated its intention to reopen the groupโs pubs and hotels โin or aroundโ June despite the ongoing nationwide lockdown. It comes one day after McDonaldโs said it will begin operational trials for a โpotential and limited reopeningโ, though JD Wetherspoon has not yet outlined how it plans…
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29 AprilRegulations & Policies
New insurance group established for hospitality sector
An action group has been established to hold insurance companies accountable for payouts arising from the nationwide lockdown and coronavirus-related losses. The new Hospitality Insurance Group Action (HIGA) will now represent hospitality businesses across the pub, restaurant, hotel and bar sector that have been forced to shut. The group will…
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