The Beefeater at Spanish City in Whitley Bay will close its doors for the final time on Thursday, September 10, joining a wave of Whitbread group closures across the UK. The pub, which has been a popular family spot for nearly a decade due to its prime location and varied menu, has left locals speculating about the future of the large building attached to a Premier Inn hotel.
Part of nationwide Whitbread closures
The closure is part of Whitbread's plan to shut nearly 2,000 of its sites across the UK. The group said the overhaul of its restaurants forms part of a new five-year strategy aimed at saving £250m in response to cost pressures from business rates and national insurance contributions.
Recent closures include Bar & Block restaurants in Newcastle city centre, which shut at the end of last week, and Brewers Fayre at Royal Quays. The Brewers Fayre pub in North Shields served its last customers on Monday, and now its Whitley Bay neighbour will follow suit.
Local reaction and speculation
The news has upset locals at the coast, with one expressing confusion given that the pub is 'always ridiculously busy,' while another reacted: 'Def prime location for another wetherspoons... Whitley cud absolutely cope with 2!'
There has also been speculation that the site could be incorporated into the Premier Inn, with the space converted into more rooms and a small area for breakfast and evening meals. Other Whitbread sites across the UK, including at Royal Quays, are on the market, with the Brewers Fayre in North Shields listed for sale at £500,000.
