Drinkers shocked as pub chain with 22 UK sites abruptly closes town centre location with no notice
PUNTERS have been left shocked after a popular pub chain with 22 sites across the UK closed a town centre location without giving notice.
It is among the many boozers that have closed their doors for the final time across the country.
The Brewhouse and Kitchen in Bedford High Street has abruptly closed its doors – without giving local customers any notice.
A staff for the popular club chain confirmed: “Our last day of trading was June 22.
“We wanted to thank all our guests that have visited B&K Bedford, over the years, for their custom and loyalty, and to say that our freshly brewed craft beers will still be pouring at our London sites as well as others.”
A local punter said they could not order food at the pub when they hoped in last weekend as there were “issues with the kitchen”, Bedford Today reports.
It is understood that the pub chain is only closing its branch in Bedford – while the reasons behind the closure are still unknown.
The Sun has reached out for a comment.
It comes as dozens of other pubs across the country are shutting down amid rising cost of operations.
Just days ago, an award-winning brewery announced its closure after just seven years in business.
Cellar Head Brewing Company and Tap Room has slipped into administration after attempts to find a buyer for the business failed.
The “heartbreaking” news was announced by the company’s directors Julia and Christopher McKenzie on the brewery’s Facebook page.
They said the increase in the cost of production and the current financial climate made the business “unviable”.
Meanwhile, Punters could lose as many as 15 Wetherspoon drinking spots as a “buzzing” pub prepares to shut its doors.
The Lord Arthur Lee in Fareham, Hampshire, will close on Sunday (April 28) when it transfers to a new owner.
The chain – which has 827 pubs across the UK – warned in September 2022 that it was putting dozens of its pubs up for sale.
So far, 46 Spoons sites have closed their doors and many more remain up for sale.
The Flintshire Wetherspoons will close its doors for on May 12.
Meanwhile, The Bears Head in Penarth, Wales has also been put up for sale.
Most recently, the London and Rye Wetherspoons have been put on the market.
We reveal the full list of Wetherspoons pubs that have closed so far.
Why are British pubs closing down?
By Noa Hoffman
MORE than 500 British boozers closed their doors for the final time last year.
Crippling taxes and inflation meant the total number of closures since 2017 hit 3,043.
And last year alone, 6,000 people lost their jobs as a result of boozers having to shut down.
Pub chiefs warned that more are on the way with landlords struggling to operate on “incredibly narrow margins”.
They blame the rising price of raw materials, energy bills and a heavy tax burden for their plight.
Thanks to The Sun’s Save Our Sups campaign, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in last November’s Autumn Statement that alcohol duty would remain frozen until August this year.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
Many Food and drink chains have been struggling in recent months as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
The brand plans to close 20 loss-making restaurants after a “challenging” start to the year.
Stonegate has raised fears about its survival as it races to plug its debts.