The Cookhouse and Pub, also known as the Cotton Mill, at Moorfield roundabout in Kilmarnock will close its doors on 3 September 2026, as announced by the management. The closure is part of wider changes by parent company Whitbread Group PLC, which is also closing all Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants across the UK.
Customer Announcement
An email sent to customers thanked them for their custom and explained the closure: "As you may have seen, we have recently announced changes to our business, which is resulting in the closure of our Branded Restaurants. This means that on Thursday 3 September 2026, your local Cookhouse + Pub and all other UK Cookhouse + Pub restaurants will close."
The email also noted that loyalty schemes, including Tasty Rewards, Reward Club, and Bonus Club, will close on Monday 31 August 2026.
Whitbread's Focus on Premier Inn
Whitbread, which owns Premier Inn attached to the Kilmarnock venue, has not made a direct announcement about the hotel's future. However, a release from the firm reaffirmed its focus on growing the hotel brand: "As part of its Five-Year Plan, announced on 30 April 2026, Whitbread intends to recycle £1.5bn of freehold property by FY31 while continuing to support the growth of Premier Inn and create additional value through redevelopment, asset intensification and the active management of its property portfolio."
Heartfelt Farewell from Staff
A post on the Cookhouse Facebook page expressed gratitude and sadness: "By now, all of our loyal customers will have received an email from Whitbread regarding the proposed changes. The Cotton Mill Management and Team would like to sincerely thank all of our loyal customers for your support and loyalty over the years. We hope to see you all before we close. It is with great sadness that we announce we will be closing our doors on 3rd September 2026. We have truly appreciated your custom, your kindness, and the many memories we've shared. It has been a pleasure to welcome you through our doors, and we will miss each and every one of you. From all of us at the Cotton Mill, thank you once again for your loyalty and support. We wish you all the very best for the future, and who knows—our paths may cross again one day. With our heartfelt thanks, The Cotton Mill Management & Team"
Whitbread has been contacted for comment.
