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.

Jan- 2025 -

30 January

Restaurants

TGI Fridays closes Leicester Square flagship

TGI Fridays has confirmed that it has closed its flagship venue in London’s Leicester Square. The casual-dining restaurant had opened the landmark venue in 2015 following a multi-million pound investment. A spokesperson for TGI Fridays said: “Our Leicester Square restaurant closed earlier this month. This was a mutual planned closure…
Read More »
28 January

News-In-Brief

Today’s news in brief – 28/01/25

Urban Pubs and Bars saw a “record-breaking” rise in EBITDA of 26% to £8.7m for the year ended 28 April 2024. The group also reported a 16% rise in turnover to £60.5m and a 4% uplift in like-for-like sales in the period. Over the Christmas trading period, which took place…
Read More »
28 January

Food and Drink

Almost Famous burger chain confirms closure

Burger chain Almost Famous has announced that it is set to close after financial pressures became “stacked against” it. The company said that the closure was due to lingering debts from the coronavirus pandemic, rising costs and fewer people being able to afford eating out. The brand started in Manchester’s…
Read More »
13 January

Business

Hospitality accounted for 10% of UK administrations in 2024

The hospitality industry accounted for 10% of administrations in 2024 – the fourth highest sector in the UK – according to analysis by full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau. A total of 1,718 businesses, 172 of which came from the hospitality sector, filed for administration – marking a 28% and 5%…
Read More »
8 January

Pubs and Bars

Hydes invests further £235k in The Abel Heywood within 12 months

Salford-based brewer and pub retailer Hydes has committed to a £235k refurbishment of the boutique hotel at The Abel Heywood, based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The investment follows a multi-million, seven-figure investment programme across its pub estate in 2024 including a £200k refurbishment of The Abel Heywood pub in February…
Read More »
6 January

News

Locanda Locatelli closes after 23 years

Locanda Locatelli has announced the closure of its Marylebone Italian restaurant after 23 years. The restaurant owned by husband and wife Giorgio and Plaxy Locatelli was located within the Hyatt Regency London on Seymour Street. A statement on its website said: “With a heavy heart, for reasons out of our…
Read More »
Dec- 2024 -

10 December

News-In-Brief

Today’s news in brief – 10/12/24

Tortilla now expects its FY24 revenue forecast to exceed expectations, and as a result, has adjusted its guidance range to between £64m and £64.3m. This follows the continuation of the strong sales recovery for the group’s UK business. Like-for-like sales in the UK led the group’s recovery to a position…
Read More »
10 December

News

Hackney’s Clapton Hart pub reopens after £1.2m refurb

Hackney’s Clapton Hart pub, a local landmark dating back to 1722, has reopened following a rescue and refurbishment in time for the festive season. Urban Pubs and Bars, London’s largest independent pub group, stepped in to secure the pub’s future as part of a broader acquisition deal. Located on Lower…
Read More »
5 December

News-In-Brief

Today’s news in brief – 05/12/24

UKH Scotland has welcomed the new 40% business rates relief for the sector, which will provide “much-needed support” for eligible hospitality businesses. However, the trade body also highlighted that 2,600 Scottish hospitality businesses will still miss out. Those businesses face increased employer NICs from the UK Budget. Itsu has secured…
Read More »
5 December

Pubs and Bars

Urban Pubs and Bars saves George and Dragon pub in Wanstead

The historic George and Dragon pub in Wanstead is set to reopen in the new year after being saved from closure by Urban Pubs and Bars. The pub, originally named The George and Dragon but recently trading as The George, faced a permanent shutdown when its previous operators closed the…
Read More »