Beefeater and Brewers Fayre, both owned by Whitbread, have closed all their UK sites this week. Beefeater shut its 106 venues on September 10, while Brewers Fayre closed 89 establishments on September 7, bringing the total to 195.
Around 30,000 staff were employed across the two restaurant brands. The closures follow an earlier announcement that both would wind down as part of a wider strategy by parent company Whitbread, which also runs Premier Inn hotels.
Whitbread chief executive Dominic Paul said: "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." He added: "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."
Premier Inn conversions planned
Some of the closed Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites will be converted into around 600 additional Premier Inn hotel rooms. The remaining venues are "expected to be sold as going concerns", according to the company.
Beefeater closures include locations in Dundee, West Lothian, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Brewers Fayre closures span Fife, Edinburgh, Highland, Falkirk, Aberdeenshire, Stirlingshire, Carmarthenshire and Gwent.
Millets and Søstrene Grene also shut stores
Outdoor retailer Millets is closing three more UK branches, with clearance sales under way. The Chippenham store began its sale on September 8, the Tenby branch already has a sale running, and the Bracknell location closes on September 12.
Millets, which sells outdoor clothing, footwear and camping equipment, currently operates 47 stores nationwide, down from around 120 previously. Stores in Portsmouth, Ipswich, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Hitchin have already closed.
Homeware retailer Søstrene Grene is closing its first UK store, in Nottingham's Victoria Centre, which opened in 2016. The chain operates 330 stores across 17 countries. A closing-down sale is under way, with the store due to shut on September 13.
A notice in the window reads: "We are sorry. Unfortunately, this store will be closing because the landlord is planning to redevelop the premises. Please note that as we prepare for the closure, some items may no longer be available in the store and many items will be reduced in price. The sisters would like to thank all customers for their support over the years."
