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.

Mar- 2020 -

23 March

Coronavirus

Subway to close all UK sites from today

Subway stores across the UK are set to close their doors at 5pm today (23 March). News of the closure closely follows announcements from McDonald’s, Nando’s and Costa, that they have all ceased trading amid the continued coronavirus pandemic. In a statement on its social media, Subway said: “We want…
Read More »
23 March

Restaurants

Shropshire brasserie forced to cancel community food service after supplies stolen

The owners of a hotel and brasserie in Shropshire have said they are “devastated” after about £1,200 worth of food has been stolen, which was being planned to start a community food delivery service during the Coronavirus crisis. The Old Vicarage at Worfield, near Bridgnorth, was broken into on Friday…
Read More »
23 March

Cafes and Coffee Shops

Costa Coffee announces closures of all UK sites amid Covid-19 outbreak

The Costa Coffee chain has announced the closure of all of its branches amid the outbreak of the coronavirus, resulting in over 2,000 of its stores closing until further notice. The closures, which will take effect from today evening (Monday 23 March), follows the government urging all restaurants, pubs and…
Read More »
23 March

Restaurants

McDonald’s and Nando’s close all UK sites

McDonald’s has announced it will close all 1,270 of its UK restaurants by the end of the day (23 March), amid the continuing coronavirus crisis. Meanwhile, Nando’s has also announced the temporary closure of all 400 UK sites “until further notice”. Both groups have pledged to donate remaining food to…
Read More »
20 March

Restaurants

TGI Friday’s announces temporary closure amid Covid-19 virus outbreak

American-style diner TGI Friday’s has announced it is to temporarily close all its UK restaurants from 9pm tomorrow (21 March) amid the recent outbreak of the Covid-19 virus outbreak. The news follows the government warning the public to practice social distancing to prevent the virus spreading. TGI released a statement…
Read More »
19 March

Pubs and Bars

Young’s suspends rent for tenants

Pub operator Young’s has announced a new set of measures to support its team across London and the south east. In its latest announcement, the group confirmed it would provide a three-month property rent holiday for all of its tenants, starting this week. The group also said it was doing…
Read More »
17 March

Government

Covid-19: Social distancing measures ‘catastrophic’ for pubs, restaurants and hotels

UKHospitality has said the government’s latest advice that people should avoid pubs, restaurants, hotels will be “catastrophic” for businesses and jobs. It has now called on the government for “immediate support for hospitality”, as well as “meaningful business continuity measures”. UKH’s CEO, Kate Nicholls, said the announcement has “effectively shut…
Read More »
17 March

Pubs and Bars

City Pub Group to ‘preserve cash’ amid Covid-19 outbreak

Recent trading at the City Pub Group has been “impacted” by Covid-19 and its wider effects, the pub operator has revealed. In its latest update regarding the virus, the group said that there was a “particular” impact on sport, and that certain sites have “witnessed noticeable reductions in trade as…
Read More »
12 March

Restaurants

Blu Lobster announces closure of Hartlepool site

Hartlepool-based seafood restaurant The Blu Lobster has announced its closure. The restaurant situated on The Front, Seaton Carew occupied the first floor of the building above fish and chip shop Fish Face, which is still trading. In a statement posted on Facebook, the restaurant thanked its staff and customers for…
Read More »
9 March

Restaurants

The Old Coastguard hotel reopens restaurant following fire

West Cornwall-based The Old Coastguard hotel has announced the reopening of its restaurant and bar, following a blaze in June last year. The restaurant and bar will be open from Friday 20 March with drinks for locals from 3pm – 5pm and dinner from 6pm in the restaurant. Amid the…
Read More »