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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Apr- 2020 -29 AprilCoronavirus
McDonaldโs trials reopening of sites
McDonaldโs has announced it is โworking through a potential and limited reopeningโ following a nationwide closure during the pandemic.ย The group had initially closed all sites on 23 March as the coronavirus crisis continued to escalate, but is now trialling how sites may reopen with social distancing measures in place.ย …
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29 AprilComment
The coronavirus crisis: The importance of adapting and reacting
Weathering the storm of the Covid-19 pandemic is a challenge for businesses of all sizes and the situation is continuing to change by the day. The food, hospitality and leisure sectors have been hit hard by the need to close restaurants and there is widespread concern over how these businesses…
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24 AprilPubs and Bars
Prolonged social distancing will bring huge difficulties for the pub sector, says BBPA
British Beer and Pub Association has said prolonged social distancing will bring โhuge difficultiesโ for the pub sector, responding to CMO Chris Whittyโs comments that social distancing will be needed until at least the end of 2020. Whitty said there is an โincredibly smallโ chance of a vaccine for coronavirus…
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22 AprilComment
The coronavirus diaries: Larkin Cen
A few weeks ago, we had no idea what the effects that Covid-19 would have on our industry. Unprecedented is probably the best word to describe it and overnight the whole economy was decimated. As the days have changed so too has the entire landscape of the country and I…
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20 AprilCoronavirus
Kent pubs come together to offer ‘crucial’ support for communities
Kent-based publicans have taken it upon themselves to raise both spirits and money to support their communities with various different initiatives, including the provision of complimentary meals for children, as well as free accommodation to key workers. The news, which comes after the Government requested the closure of all pubs,…
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20 AprilRestaurants
Pizza Pilgrims reopens Victoria site for delivery amid Covid-19 crisis
Pizza Pilgrims has reopened its flagship restaurant in Victoria for delivery, after temporarily closing its doors last month amid the Covid-19 crisis. In an Instagram post, co-founder James Elliot described the reopening as a โglorious dayโ before confirming the restaurant will only be operating on Deliveroo and its new Frying…
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16 AprilCoronavirus
Mitchells and Butlers furloughs 99% of staff
Mitchells and Butlers announced it has furloughed 99% of its workforce in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.ย The announcement came as the leading operator of managed restaurants and pubs, including Harvester, Toby Carvery, All Bar One and Miller and Carter, announced a series of measures to reduce its cost…
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14 AprilCoronavirus
Revolution raises credit facility
Revolution Bars has announced that it will increase its revolving credit facility to ยฃ30m following an agreement with NatWest. This will last until 31 August, when it will decrease to ยฃ24m as the group โbegins to benefit from its normal positive working capital cycleโ following the predicted easing of lockdown…
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9 AprilCoronavirus
Greggs taps ยฃ150m from government
Greggs will receive ยฃ150m in funds from the Bank of England amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the bakery chain has confirmed.ย The group confirmed that it is now eligible to issue paper under the Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) scheme.ย ย Through the scheme, available credit will โmeet the company’s liquidity…
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9 April
Leon launches Feed Britain initiative
Leon has announced the launch of Feed Britain, a new online delivery service that provides customers with fresh grocery essentials andย ready meals amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.ย Whilst Feed Britain is designed in the long run to be a commercial enterprise that makes it possible for suppliers to sustainably…
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