All 89 Brewers Fayre restaurants are closing their doors today, Monday, September 7, marking the end of the pub chain. The closure was confirmed earlier this year as part of a wider business strategy by Whitbread, the company behind Premier Inn.
Whitbread announced in April that the restaurant chain would be wound down, alongside the closure of Beefeater. All 106 Beefeater restaurants are set to close on Thursday, September 10. The two brands collectively employ around 30,000 staff.
Why Whitbread is closing the chains
Whitbread chief executive Dominic Paul said at the time: "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."
Whitbread revealed that a number of Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites will be transformed into approximately 600 additional Premier Inn rooms. The hospitality giant added that the remainder is "expected to be sold as going concerns".
Impact on staff
Addressing the impact on its workforce, Whitbread said: "We recognise the impact of this proposal on colleagues who work at the affected sites."
"As a business which recruits around 15,000 people every year, we expect to be able to retain a significant proportion of those affected and will be looking to redeploy as many of our impacted colleagues as possible. However, we do anticipate that the proposed changes, which are subject to consultation, would result in a reduction of around 3,800 roles of a total UK and Ireland workforce of around 30,000. We will do all we can to support those colleagues affected."
Customer reactions
Fans of the dining chain have expressed their sadness over the news. One nostalgic customer said: "Until I went to university the only restaurant I'd ever been to was a Beefeater. We'd go for various family birthdays. I absolutely loved it. A steak or a mixed grill which I never got at home, followed by a Knickerbocker Glory. Fantastic times. I went back a couple of years ago. The place looked run down. I feel sad about this but I guess the fact I hadn't been to one for 30 years is part of the problem."
Another added: "My favourite restaurant when I was little, the one in Bath specifically. But I haven't been to one in years." A further commenter shared: "We've gone there for any family gathering in the last 30 years. It was like an automatic meeting spot if someone was coming back into town."
Full list of Brewers Fayre closures on September 7
The closing locations include: 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, and Winsor House in Beckton, London.
