Last Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants to close, with loss of 3,800 jobs, Premier Inn owner says
Whitbread, the owner of Premier Inn, plans to close all remaining Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants in the UK and Ireland, resulting in the loss of approximately 3,800 jobs. The decision is part of a strategic shift to focus exclusively on its hotel business amid rising costs, tax changes, and pressure from an activist investor. The company will convert restaurant spaces into hotel rooms and sell and lease back £1.5bn of freehold properties to fund future growth.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Beefeater restaurants, established in 1974, were fabled for serving steaks and classic pub dishes when there was little or no choice in dining out for Britons. Photograph: Brian Anthony/AlamyView image in fullscreenBeefeater restaurants, established in 1974, were fabled for serving steaks and classic pub dishes when there was little or no choice in dining out for Britons. Photograph: Brian Anthony/AlamyHospitality industryLast Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants to close, with loss of 3,800 jobs, Premier Inn owner saysWhitbread to call time on restaurants in UK and Ireland blaming higher costs and taxes for latest strategic resetJoanna PartridgeThu 30 Apr 2026 04.46 EDTLast modified on Thu 30 Apr 2026 04.47 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GooglePremier Inn owner Whitbread is to cut…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Guardian — World.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from The Guardian — World
