Three pub more closures are expected in Liverpool this week
The Packet Steamer is scheduled to close on September 10(Image: Gavin Trafford)
Premier Inn owner Whitbread has today (Monday, September 7) closed all of its remaining Brewers Fayre restaurants. The Ocean Plaza location in Southport is one of the many causalities, with customers mourning the loss of a space that was a part of their lives for decades.
Whitbread revealed it would close all 106 of its Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants, cutting nearly 4,000 jobs across the UK and Ireland. While Beefeater restaurants are marked for closure on September 10, all Brewers Fayres sites are now closed.
Around 12% of the workforce from the closed locations will lose their jobs. The company plans to offload £1.5bn of freehold properties, reducing the overall portion of owned properties across its portfolio from 50% to 30%.
Whitbread explained a number of Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants will be converted into approximately 600 additional Premier Inn rooms.
Those who frequented Southport’s Ocean Plaza throughout their lives shared memories of their experiences, including Sharon Marsden who said: “My family has been linked with Brewers for over 20 years.
“I took my son and daughter in there as little kids, not even knowing they would go on to work there in the future. All the staff, both front of house and kitchen, are amazing. They are like a small family and have built up bonds and service that span many years.
“You will not find a more unique set of people who work so damn hard day in and day out to serve customers, while having banter that keeps them sane during the long shifts!
“I hope each and every one of them (whether staying or being made redundant) secures a positive new future and thrives in whatever they do next. I know friendships and connections have been forged that will last long after the doors close.”
Cath Baines said: “My husband and I were devastated when we were told in June that the restaurant was closing. When we had a few days at Ocean Plaza in August we said goodbye to several staff members who were taking redundancy.
“We’ve another few days booked in October and November and will work out if we’re happy with the new set up before another short break is booked.”
Claire Stansfield said: “[The news] makes us super sad. The staff are all so lovely and hospitable, I’m hoping their onward journeys are fulfilling.
“Twenty years ago I would go for drinks in there with friends. In a very different sense these days I would catch up with family and friends while the kids have a play. Super chill environment either way great customer service and value for food. [There is] hardly anywhere as versatile as this.”
Sarah Hodge said: “Our eldest is nearly 22 and we’ve been going since she was little. Our youngest is four and he loves it there. The staff are amazing and it’s really going to be missed.”
The forthcoming Beefeater restaurant closures on September 10 include The Packet Steamer Beefeater in Bootle, Preston Brook Beefeater in Runcorn and the Stag & Rainbow on Queens Drive.
