Final days for 40-year-old UK pub chain as near 4,000 jobs lost

Only a month remains until Brewers Fayre – a pub-restaurant business in operation since 1981 – is closed by owner Whitbread, with doors set to be shut across the country on September 7.

With 89 branches around the UK – including in Bicester – the family-friendly brand was well-known for its Sunday Carvery menu.

Earlier this year, it was announced that it and Beefeaters would be closing as Whitbread restructures its wider business.

READ MORE: UK loyalty scheme to end as 3,800 jobs lost and restaurants close

Beefeater will shut down all of its sites on September 10, including the branch at the Oxford South Milton Interchange.

The Applecart Beefeater at the Oxford South Milton Interchange (Image: Christie Owen & Davies Ltd)

Some of the properties housing the restaurants have been put up for sale while others will be incorporated into Travelodge branches, with 3,800 jobs being lost in the process, although Whitbread has said it will try to retain as many staff as possible.

Across the country, some Beefeater and Brewers Fayre eateries have already been switched over to Whitbread’s own in-house Thyme brand.

Others are being sold and closed with the cuts set to impact about 12 per cent of the company’s 30,000-strong workforce in the UK and Ireland working in its Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants.

A statement was issued on the restructuring earlier this year in which it was announced a number of the restaurants would be converted into additional Premier Inn rooms.

A spokesperson said: “We recognise the impact of this proposal on colleagues who work at the affected sites.

Brewers Fayre in Bicester (Image: Christie Owen & Davies Ltd)

“As a business which recruits around 15,000 people every year, we expect to be able to retain a significant proportion of those affected and will be looking to redeploy as many of our impacted colleagues as possible.

“However, we do anticipate that the proposed changes, which are subject to consultation, would result in a reduction of around 3,800 roles of a total UK and Ireland workforce of around 30,000.

Interior of Bicester Brewers Fayre (Image: Christie Owen & Davies Ltd)

“We will do all we can to support those colleagues affected.”

READ MORE: Over 3,500 jobs lost as UK restaurant chains list properties

In addition, Beefeater has also provided clarity on its loyalty scheme, publishing a deadline on its website.

A spokesperson said: “All points must be collected (or receipt details added) by Monday 24 August 2026 and then converted into your points-based vouchers and used by Monday 31 August 2026.”

With a loyalty card, customers could collect 5 points for every £1 spent and once 500 points have been earned, they would be able to claim either a £5 voucher, a free bottle of wine or 2 free starters or desserts.