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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Apr- 2020 -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 “glorious day” 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. 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 £30m following an agreement with NatWest. This will last until 31 August, when it will decrease to £24m as the group “begins to benefit from its normal positive working capital cycle” following the predicted easing of lockdown…
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9 AprilCoronavirus
Greggs taps £150m from government
Greggs will receive £150m in funds from the Bank of England amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the bakery chain has confirmed. The group confirmed that it is now eligible to issue paper under the Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) scheme. Through the scheme, available credit will “meet 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 and ready meals amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis. 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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2 AprilRestaurants
Sandpiper terminates purchase of The Guernsey Pub Company
Property development company Sandpiper has announced that its intended acquisition of The Guernsey Pub Company has now been “terminated”. The board of directors of Sandpiper said that due to the effects of Covid-19 to date and the “uncertainty surrounding its future effects”, it has been unable to fulfil the conditions…
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Mar- 2020 -31 MarchCoronavirus
One in ten use takeaway for the first time, says NPD group
One in ten people will use a delivery or takeaway service for the first time during the Covid-19 outbreak, the NPD Group has revealed. The findings came from the Covid-19 British Foodservice Sentiment Tracker, launched by the global information group in light of the ongoing pandemic. The survey was conducted…
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30 MarchRestaurants
Boxpark temporarily ceases trading amid Covid-19 pandemic
Pop-up mall company Boxpark has announced the temporary closure of all its sites, forcing any tenants still operating as a delivery service to cease trading. Boxpark which has three locations in London including Croydon, Shoreditch and Wembley, closed its doors in line with government orders. Initially, traders at the establishment…
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27 MarchRestaurants
Covid-19: Chiquito to close 61 stores permanently
Mexican restaurant chain Chiquito is to close 61 stores across the UK permanently as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. According to the Guardian, the chain’s remaining 20 sites will reportedly reopen once the Coronavirus situation improves. The Restaurant Group, which owns Chiquito, said 11 Food and Fuel pubs in…
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