A steakhouse chain will shut all of its restaurants over the coming days as part of a major hospitality restructure.
Bar + Block, which currently operates 20 sites across the UK, will close as part of Whitbread’s decision to shut all of its standalone branded restaurants.
Other chains affected include:
The closures follow Whitbread’s April announcement of plans to cut around 3,800 jobs in the UK and Ireland as part of a five-year strategy to save £250 million.
Whitbread will replace the closed restaurants with restaurants inside Premier Inn hotels.
Whitbread chief executive Dominic Paul previously said: “We always challenge ourselves to improve and, in light of significant cost increases in the form of business rates and national insurance, as well as the implied market discount to our inherent value, we’ve looked hard at the options open to us to maximise value creation over the medium and long-term.
“This plan will transform Whitbread into a higher-margin, higher-returning pure-play hotel business.”
Full list of Bar + Block restaurants in the UK
All 20 Bar + Block restaurants will close for good on Thursday (September 3).
The locations of these restaurants are:
Ahead of this week’s closures, Bar + Block has posted on social media to thank all its customers.
It said: “On the 3rd September, Bar + Block will officially close its doors across all locations.
“From evening cocktails and weekend brunches to indulging in a premium cut of steak, serving you has been an absolute privilege.
“We are immensely grateful to every guest who came through our doors, and to our passionate team who made every experience unforgettable.
“Before we mix our final drink and serve our last steak on the 3rd September, we’d love to welcome you back one last time.
“Come raise a glass, savour your favourite dish, and toast to the memories we’ve made together.
“Thank you for being part of our story.”
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A post shared by Bar Block (@barandblock)
A post shared by Bar Block (@barandblock)
Queensway Inns rescues 53 Whitbread sites
Of the 261 Whitbread sites earmarked for closure, 53 have been sold to Queensway Inns, who plan to relaunch them as a new chain.
A Whitbread spokesperson, speaking to Newsquest, previously said: “Whitbread has reached an agreement for the conditional sale of 53 branded restaurant sites to Queensway Inns, subject to a number of final conditions being met.
“Queensway Inns has extensive experience operating hospitality businesses across the UK and intends to operate the sites as going concerns.
“Subject to completion of the sale and following the relevant TUPE information and consultation processes, around 900 team members could transfer and will be supported through the process.”
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The 53 sites are reportedly a mix of all Whitbread brands earmarked for closure.
Queensway plans to rebrand and relaunch the sites as affordable pubs, but the new name, menu pricing, and reopening dates are yet to be confirmed.
Is there a Bar + Block restaurant closing near you? Let us know in the comments below.
