Several major UK businesses have shut their doors this week, including pub restaurant brands Beefeater and Brewers Fayre, which closed over 100 locations. Outdoor retailer Millets is closing three additional outlets, and homeware retailer Søstrene Grene has shut its original UK store.
Beefeater and Brewers Fayre closures
Beefeater closed its 106 venues on September 10, while Brewers Fayre shut 89 establishments on September 7. Around 30,000 staff members are employed across both restaurant brands.
Earlier this year, confirmation came that both would be closing as part of a broader strategy by parent company Whitbread, which also operates the Premier Inn hotel chain. 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."
"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."
A proportion of the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre premises will be converted into roughly 600 extra Premier Inn hotel rooms, while the remaining properties are "expected to be sold as going concerns".
Millets store closures
Outdoor retailer Millets is shutting three UK branches as it initiates "everything must go" clearance sales. It is preparing to shut its outlets in Chippenham, Tenby and Bracknell.
The retailer stocks outdoor apparel, footwear and camping gear. It operates 47 outlets nationwide but previously had approximately 120. The Chippenham outlet launched a clearance sale on September 8, with a sale already running at the Tenby branch. Bracknell's location shuts on September 12.
Millets' outlets in Portsmouth, Ipswich, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Hitchin are among those which have already shut.
Søstrene Grene original store closure
Homeware retailer Søstrene Grene is shutting its original store. It launched its first UK location in Nottingham's Victoria Centre in 2016 and operates 330 outlets across 17 countries.
A clearance sale has been under way at the store, which will close on September 13. A notice displayed in the window states: "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."
