Three well-known restaurants in Gloucestershire are facing closure following Whitbread’s decision to phase out its Brewers Fayre and Beefeater chains nationwide. The hospitality giant, which also owns Premier Inn, cited escalating government-imposed costs as the primary reason for this move.
Whitbread plans to close 200 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, leading to approximately 3,800 job losses. In the South West region, closures affect 21 locations across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and four in Bristol. Gloucestershire will lose three venues: The Old Nelson Brewers Fayre in Stroud, and both The Whittle Inn Brewers Fayre and The Twelve Bells Beefeater in Gloucester.
These closures are part of Whitbread’s ambitious five-year strategy aimed at streamlining operations and achieving cost savings of £250 million. Although the majority of the company’s 30,000 employees will remain employed, around 12% of staff at affected sites will face redundancy.
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Historically, these restaurants have been closely linked with Premier Inn hotels, serving millions of guests annually. The shutdown marks the end for Beefeater restaurants after over 50 years and curtails Brewers Fayre’s run just before its 50th anniversary in 2029.
Whitbread’s CEO, Dominic Paul, directly linked the closures to the financial pressures from Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget, pointing out the significant hikes in business rates and National Insurance. To adapt, Whitbread plans to sell and lease back up to £1.5 billion in freehold properties, reinvesting the proceeds into future growth initiatives.
Paul outlined the company’s strategy to transform the remaining restaurants into integrated food and beverage venues tailored to Premier Inn guests, which will also allow for the addition of more profitable hotel rooms. This approach aims to strengthen Whitbread’s market position and capitalize on competitors’ struggles.
In the South West, specific Brewers Fayre and Beefeater locations named for closure have not all been detailed but include the mentioned Gloucestershire sites.