Four locations of a popular retro-style cocktail bar chain with 21 locations will close in the coming months amid a slew of other pub closures in the UK.
Simmons Bars, which is based in London but has a location in Manchester as well, offers brunch, cocktails in teapots and karaoke.
The trendy bar announced that four closing locations, one of which is in Putney, will close soon. The other three closing locations haven’t been announced.
Founder Nick Campbell said Simmons is hoping to ‘streamline’ its portfolio and restructure its finances in the process, but more locations of the bars will open in the future.
‘As part of the process, we’ve taken the tough decision to exit four leases, allowing management to focus resources on our strongest performing venues,’ he said.
‘Alongside this, we’ve secured additional investment to support future expansion and operational improvements across the estate.’
Pubs across England, Scotland and Wales are already shutting their doors at alarming rates.
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has estimated that 378 pubs will close this year, putting 5,600 jobs in danger.
BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin urged the government earlier this month to change business rates in the sector to help more pubs keep their doors open.
Reducing the cumulative tax and regulatory burden would lead to more investment and jobs while also protecting spaces that, for many communities, are the only places left to gather, they say.
Pub closures also have a further impact on those who are part of the supply chain, including farmers, brewers and other industries.
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The announcement of Simmons’ closures comes as another popular pub chain announced that ten of its locations would shut soon as well.
Brewdog said they were unable to ‘find a formula’ to make the bars viable due to multiple ‘limiting factors’.
From Brighton to Dundee, the locations will see more than 100 staff members laid off in the process, with as little as three days’ notice.
It’s the latest blow to the so-called ‘punk’ brewer after years of allegations of horrible working environments and other closures.
Another hotel and pub chain fell into administration after a fall in customer numbers and rising costs forced the business to close six pubs and sell 14 others.
Oakman Inns is based in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire and operates several pubs across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Midlands.
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