Nearly 400 bars and eating places to shut in UK as 1,000 extra beneath menace
Popular UK pubs, bars and restaurants have been forced to close in 2026 as major chains including Revolution, Leon and TGI Fridays enter administration or announce restructuring
Leon filed for administration to facilitate a major restructuring, closing 22 stores in 2026(Image: Getty)
Hundreds, possibly a thousand, British restaurants and bars could close this year. Soaring running expenses, alterations to business rates, and changes in consumer habits – especially amongst younger demographics – have pushed numerous major chains into administration or substantial reorganisation.
Consequently, a vast number of pubs, bars and eateries nationwide have been compelled to shut down, or are currently marked for closure later this year, including various renowned hospitality behemoths such as Leon, TGI Fridays, Revolution and even several JD Wetherspoon sites in another devastating blow to Britain’s high street. The parent firm of Revolution and Revolucion de Cuba, The Revel Collective, went into administration during late January 2026.
Whilst 41 establishments were rescued through a sale to Neos Hospitality Group, 21 venues closed immediately, including Revolution Bars in Cardiff, Durham and Exeter and six Revolucion de Cuba closures.
Following its re-purchase by co-founder John Vincent from Asda, Leon filed for administration to enable a significant overhaul. The brand is redirecting its strategy from the high street towards transport centres like airports and railway stations.
Around 22 high street branches are anticipated to close this year, with 11 sites having already ceased trading as of February 2026, leading to more than 240 job losses. The British division of TGI Fridays encountered serious difficulties in late 2025/early 2026, reports the Express.
Whilst a takeover by Sugarloaf TGIF Operations in January 2026 rescued numerous outlets, around 35 venues have been marked for closure or have already ceased trading. This encompasses the Fulham Broadway, Spitalfields, Sydenham, Tooting and West End establishments in London alone, plus Cheetham Hill and Chorlton in Manchester.
Whilst Spoons is actually launching several fresh venues – including its maiden international airport pub in Alicante – it continues to axe its ageing or less lucrative spots, such as The Carrick Stone (Cumbernauld), which shut last month. After a challenging 2025, Pizza Hut’s UK franchise operator is anticipated to close approximately 68 restaurants during 2026 as it shifts towards a “delivery-first” strategy.
This predominantly impacts older dine-in establishments in retail parks and high streets.
Lastly, as Britain’s biggest pub operator, Stonegate, which controls pub chains Slug & Lettuce and Be At One, is presently restructuring its £3billion debt and is reportedly looking to offload or lease out roughly 1,000 pubs – about a quarter of its portfolio. Whilst not all will shut, many are being transformed from “managed” (operated by the company) to “tenanted” (operated by independent landlords), which frequently results in temporary closures or rebranding.
- Revolution and Revolucion de Cuba – 21 sites closed with immediate effect e.g. Cardiff, Durham, Ipswitch, Nottingham and Manchester.
- Peach Pubs – Kenilworth (The Almanack).
- Leon – 22 high street locations expected to close; 11 already closed with over 240 redundancies.
- TGI Fridays – over 35 sites earmarked for closure or already shut e.g. in Edinburgh, Cardiff, Nottingham, Sheffield and several London branches.
- Whitbread (Beefeater & Brewers Fayre) – approx. 240 sites to be closed or sold, e.g. Manor Farm Beefeater (Rainham, Kent) and Bridge Barn Beefeater (Woking, Surrey).
- JD Wetherspoon– trimming older and less profitable stores e.g. CarrickStone (Cumbernauld) but still opening sites
- Martson’s – aggressively selling off non-core pubs to reduce debt with locations at risk e.g. Bull & Butcher (Nottinghamshire) and The Crooked House (Dudley).
- Pizza Hut (UK) – shut 68 restaurants throughout 2026 as it moves toward a “delivery-first” model.
- Stonegate Group (Slug & Lettuce / Be At One) – restructuring its £3billion debt, seeking to sell or lease 1,000 pubs with many being converted from “managed” to “tenanted”.
- Brunning & Price – The White Horse (Beaconsfield) permanently closed on January 11; sold a small package of London-based sites to Urban Pubs & Bars e.g. The Queens (Crouch End); still actively opening new venues this year e.g. The Barn Owl (Blacknest, Alton).
- YO! Sushi – shutting down several flagship high-street locations as it moves toward supermarket kiosks and travel hubs e.g. Glasgow (Nelson Mandela Place) closed in late January.
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