Two popular restaurant chains are set to close, resulting in the loss of 3,800 jobs across the UK and Ireland. Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants, typically located next to or inside Premier Inn hotels, will shut their doors as part of a major restructuring by parent company Whitbread.
Whitbread announced that the closures are part of a new five-year strategy aimed at saving a quarter of a billion pounds in costs while overhauling its restaurant operations. Although the majority of its 30,000-strong workforce would be retained, roughly 12 per cent of employees will be laid off across the 197 affected restaurants.
Whitbread blames government budget
Whitbread blamed Rachel Reeves' budget for the decision, citing significant cost increases in business rates and National Insurance. Chief executive Dominic Paul said the move was necessary to adapt to rising costs and to focus on an integrated food and beverage offer preferred by hotel guests, which will also allow for the addition of more profitable extension rooms.
Paul stated: "We plan to convert all our remaining branded restaurants to an integrated food and beverage offer that is preferred by our hotel guests and will unlock the addition of more highly profitable extension rooms. Our continued efforts to drive our commercial plan and efficiencies will extend our market-leading position and allow us to take share from our competitors, many of which are struggling to grow."
Full list of Brewers Fayre restaurants closing
The following Brewers Fayre locations are scheduled to close: Abergavenny, Afon Conwy, Aire & Calder, Bankhead Gate, Barrow-in-Furness, Barry Island, Bedford South, Bicester, Bideford, Bobbing Apple, Brampton Hut, Brookers Oast, Burton House, The Carousel, Castlewood, Central Park, Cepen Park, Chafford Hundred, Chequers Corner, Cheswold Lodge, The Clarence Pier, Cockermouth, Cottams Field, Craig House, Crossways, Dalesway, Derry City, The Drove, Duke of York, Exeter, The Farrier, Flagstaff Island, Freebridge Farm, Glastonbury, Gordano Gate, The Hampton, Hanley, The Harbour, The Howgate, Inn On The Quay, Inshes Gate, Kembrey Inn, Kincardine Way, King William IV, Lakeland Gate, Lewins Mead, Lock Keeper, Lodmoor, Loggans Moor, Mains of Balquharn, The Marina, The Mayflower, Minehead, Monkey Puzzle, Mulberry Tree, Newhaven Quay, Oakenhurst Farm, Oaks, Ocean Park, Ocean Plaza, Old Nelson, Old West Quay, Orbital, Papermill, Pirnhall Inn, Queens Crossing, The Redwood, Rhubarb Triangle, Rising Sun, Royal Quays, The Sandpiper, Stable Gate, The Swallow, Swansea Vale, Telford Lodge, Tindale Crossing, Tirfounder Fields, Turnpike, Victoria Park, Walsall, Water Mill, The Wessex Flyer, The Wessington, Wheatlea Park, Whittle Inn, Widnes, Willen Dragon, The Windmill, Winsor House.
Full list of Beefeater restaurants closing
The following Beefeater locations are scheduled to close: The Anchor, The Applecart, Badgers Sett, Bagle Brook, Balmoral Inn, The Barn, The Beacon, The Belgrave, Bentley Green, Border Gate, The Brache, The Brecks, Broomside Park, The Bull, Carnon Inn, Centre, The Coldra, Countess Wear, The Cricketers, Crossbush, Crows Nest, Deer Park, The Dukes Worksop, Eureka Park, Euston Way, The Farmhouse, Farnborough, The Fountain, The Foxburrow, Frome Flyer, George In The Tree, The Gifford, Gourdie Croft, The Granary, Great Oak, Great Yarmouth Seafront, Griff House, Halfway House, Halifax, Hamilton, Harbour Lights, Harlow Mill, The Haywain, Heaton Park, The Kingswood, Lady Nairne, The Ladybridge, The Lakeside, Liberty Bell, London Woolwich, The Longbow, Longbridge, Longford House, The Longwall, The Lydiard, Malta Inn, Manor Farm, Marsh Mills, Medina Quay, Mill House, Mill Lodge, Millers Barn, The Millfield, Moor Mill, Morris Dancers, Morton Park, Moseley Park, Oakley Hay, Oast & Squire, The Orchard, Oxford Kidlington, Oyster Reach, Packet Steamer, The Parkway, The Pavilion, The Plough, Preston Brook, Priory Marina, Quay House, Rackstraws Farm, Red Lion, Redditch, Roman Way, Sir Thomas Wyatt, Smugglers Haunt, The Somerford, The Southcote, Springwood Park, Spruce Goose, Stag & Rainbow, Strawberry Field, The Talpore, The Three Fish, Travellers Rest, The Turnpike, Twelve Bells, Walston Castle, Ware, The Waterfront, The Watermill, White Hart, White Lodge, White Rock, Whitegate Inn, Whitley Bay, The Woolpack.
Whitbread's decision underscores the challenging economic environment for the hospitality sector, with many businesses struggling under increased costs and changing consumer preferences.
