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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Nov- 2018 -6 NovemberRestaurants
Restaurant insolvencies reach highest level in eight years
The number of restaurant businesses going bust has reached its highest level since 2010, jumping sharply in the first three quarters of 2018, according to data by accountancy firm Price Bailey. According to the firm, 1,123 British restaurant businesses became insolvent in the first three quarters of 2018, a 35%…
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1 NovemberAdvice
Think inside the pouch: Why stand-up pouches are perfect for food-based products
When it comes to selling edible goods, getting your packaging right is essential. Firstly, it’s got to look good – that means your branding has to be on point and the container itself has to have withstood whatever travel it’s undergone (who wants to buy bashed up tins and cartons?)…
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Oct- 2018 -25 OctoberBeverages
Soho’s Fernandez & Wells closes
Fernandez & Wells has closed its first ever site on Soho’s Lexington Street, the closure leaves the chain with three outlets all in the Soho area. The chain, founded by Rick Wells and Jorge Fernandez, which specialises in a unique blend of tapas, wine and sandwiches, has been open at…
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24 OctoberBusiness
GBK enters CVA
GBK has announced it is to enter a CVA this afternoon (24 October) following the appointment of Deloitte in September to oversee a restructuring of the business. In an announcement, Famous Brands, the South African restaurant chain’s owners said: “The CVA process has the objective to ensure financial viability and…
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24 OctoberCafes and Coffee Shops
Winding up petition against Patisserie Valerie dismissed
The winding up petition against Stonebeach Limited, parent company of crisis-hit cafe chain Patisserie Valerie, has been dismissed. Patisserie Holdings released a statement on 24 October which said it was “pleased” that the petition against it been dismissed by the High Court of Justice, Business and Property Courts. HMRC served…
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12 OctoberBusiness
Patisserie Valerie saved from collapse with £20m rescue plan
Crisis-hit cafe chain Patisserie Valerie has been saved from collapse after entrepreneur Luke Johnson offered the company a rescue plan with two loans of up to £20m. Johnson, who owns a 37% stake in the company, has committed to a bridging loan of up to £10m to help the company…
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4 OctoberAwards & Events
Bar soon to close named ‘world’s best’
Dandelyan based in London’s Southbank has been announced as the ‘World’s Best Bar for 2018’ despite announcing its closure on 1 October. Ryan Chetiyawardana, the bar’s co-founder said he was “flabbergasted” by the award, adding: “In a way it’s the most fitting thing. We’ve worked so hard and with so…
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Sep- 2018 -24 SeptemberRestaurants
Michelin-listed 14 Upgate restaurant suddenly announces closure
Michelin-listed Louth restaurant 14 Upgate has announced it will close its doors at the end of the year in a message posted to its Facebook page late last night. 14 Upgate will serve customers for the final time on new year’s eve with owner Andrew Leonard recently looking to begin…
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12 SeptemberPubs and Bars
Craft beer bar Mason & Company shuts after two years
Craft beer bar Mason and Company, in Hackney Wick London, has announced its closure after two and a half years of trading. The company described the decision to close as “difficult” but said its canalside location was “challenging”. It went on to say that the difference in footfall and trade…
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11 SeptemberPubs and Bars
Locals ‘devastated’ as Norwich pub forced to close by major chain
A Norwich pub has been forced to close after it claims it was denied a renewal of its licence by landlord Enterprise Inns which plans to run the pub under its Craft Union Pubs brand. The Garden House announced the news on Facebook with a statement which read: “It is…
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