Five Somerset Restaurants to Close Amid Rising Costs

Whitbread, the hotel giant behind Premier Inn, has announced the closure of five restaurants in Somerset as part of a wider strategy to combat escalating business costs. The closure plan involves shutting down 200 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, leading to approximately 3,800 job losses.

In the South West, 21 restaurants are set to close across Devon, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, and Bristol, including five in Somerset: Brewers Fayre outlets in Glastonbury and Minehead, and Beefeater restaurants at the Pavilion in Weston-super-Mare, White Lodge in Taunton, and the Frome Flyer.

This decision is part of Whitbread’s new five-year plan aimed at saving a quarter of a billion pounds while reshaping its restaurant portfolio. The closures will affect about 12% of employees at the impacted locations, although Whitbread intends to retain the majority of its 30,000-strong workforce.

These restaurants, typically located near Premier Inn hotels, have long been favored dining options for millions of visitors each year. The Beefeater chain, operating for over fifty years, and Brewers Fayre, which was approaching its 50th anniversary in 2029, will both see a significant reduction in presence.

Whitbread’s CEO, Dominic Paul, attributed the closures to the adverse impact of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget, highlighting “significant cost increases in the form of business rates and National Insurance.” To address financial pressures, Whitbread plans to sell and lease back up to £1.5 billion worth of freehold properties and reinvest these funds to foster future growth.

Paul also revealed plans to convert remaining branded restaurants into integrated food and beverage venues preferred by hotel guests, aiming to enhance profitability and expand hotel capacity with more extension rooms.

“We will continue to drive commercial efficiency and maintain our market-leading position, capitalizing on competitors’ challenges,” Paul stated.