Popular bar chain closes a number of UK venues at this time with 25 extra at risk of chop

On Aug 11, 2024

A popular chain of high street bars is set to close several of its venues today, with more on the way.

Revolution Bars Group has been considered a staple of the night life scene across UK cities and towns since they first opened in 1991. However, Sunday (August 8) is set to see 11 branches close their doors for the last time and potentially another 25 are due to follow suit.

The company is undergoing a huge overhaul and reorganisation of their business, with several venues set to become victim. The biggest of which, Deansgate Locks in Manchester city centre, is closing today.

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revolution bar closing — Revolution reported a decline in footfall and spending in their bars
(Image: Getty Images/Image Source)

Venues in Blackpool and Chester will also close today, as well as Edinburgh, Inverness, Leadenhall, Loughborough, Norwich, Hockley, Stafford and King Street Wigan.

These closures follow an announcement from the bosses in April who promised plans of a major restructure of the company. The business was suffering due to the constant rising cost of living and rents.

The individual bars also reported a noticeable drop in footfall from customers with less people spending. London Stock Exchange also suspended their shares in the business in April after Revolution delayed publishing their yearly financial results.

Shares then became 40% more expensive after they were finally released. With the business clearly struggling, the bosses decided to make a huge jump with a nation-wide restructure.

This was the second incident in recent times where Revolution, colloquially referred to as Revs, decided to change their ethos. In 2016, the bar group trie to shed their reputation as a student bar and move towards a gastropub-style market.

Revolutions provided food and different marketing for a slightly more mature market, but with Covid and the cost of living, it appears the business was beyond repair. Bosses are hopeful the closures will help keep the business afloat.

Food and Drink venues have been the worst affected since the rise of cost of living, with several bars, restaurants and pubs having to close down. Wetherspoon is one popular venue that has suffered after announcing they would be closing down certain branches.

Some 36 boozers are at risk of closure, with the exact dates yet to be announced. Bristol’s Jolly Sailor, The Regent in Kirkby in Ashfield, Swindon’s Sir Daniel Arms, The Hain Line in St Ives, Foot of the Walk in Leith and London and Rye in London, are currently under offer and could be the first to shut their doors.

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