Premier Inn’s parent company is exploring the closure of two renowned restaurant brands in the UK, potentially leading to the disappearance of numerous outlets from high streets nationwide.
Whitbread revealed plans to potentially shutter all remaining Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants, affecting nearly 200 establishments and resulting in 3,800 job cuts. This initiative forms part of a new five-year strategy aimed at achieving significant cost savings of around a quarter of a billion pounds while revamping its dining establishments. No final decisions on closures have been confirmed, as per reports from Mirror.
Although the majority of its 30,000-strong workforce is expected to be retained, the proposed cuts could result in approximately 12% of employees losing their jobs across the impacted sites.
These restaurants are typically situated adjacent to or within Premier Inn hotels, serving as popular choices for the millions of visitors each year. The closures will mark the end of an era for Beefeater restaurants after operating for over 50 years, while Brewers Fayre was set to mark the same milestone in 2029.
Whitbread attributes the decision to factors like increased business rates and National Insurance costs, as noted by its CEO Dominic Paul. To address these challenges, the company plans to sell and lease back up to £1.5 billion in freehold properties, channeling the proceeds towards future growth endeavors. Paul expressed intentions to transition all remaining branded restaurants into an integrated food and beverage concept preferred by hotel guests, enabling the addition of lucrative extension rooms.
The company’s efforts to enhance its commercial strategy and operational efficiencies are expected to bolster its market position and capture market share from struggling competitors.
The proposed closures may affect the following Brewers Fayre restaurants:
The following Beefeater restaurants are also included in the potential closures:
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