Just two weeks into the new year ten businesses have announced their closures.
Some big business chains, such as Cineworld, Slug & Lettuce and Brewdog, have announced closures of some Yorkshire city stores.
But also, some smaller and independent businesses, such as Two Brothers Grill and Pizzeria, The Shed Bar and The Old Red Bus Station, have announced their closures, with many citing financial issues.
The Staveley Arms had reopened in October 2023 following a seven-month period of closure, but in the last week has announced its closure as they said they were facing “major business impacts” from the Budget.
In a statement they wrote: “With further major business impacts imminent from the recent Budget in the form of increased employment costs and national insurance, before even allowing for the inevitable price rises on supplies as all businesses try to combat these factors, we have concluded it is not possible to make the business sustainably viable and have made the very difficult decision to not continue.”
5. BrewDog
Major bar chain BrewDog has closed two more of its Yorkshire-based bars. The Scottish craft beer and food company has announced that BrewDog Bradford on Great Horton Road has closed and BrewDog Huddersfield on Zetland Street near the university has also closed. A BrewDog spokesperson said: “Our franchise partner took the difficult decision to close BrewDog bars in Bradford and Huddersfield, but remains a partner and will continue to operate some of our other Yorkshire venues.” BrewDog said there have been no job losses, all staff were retained and moved to other parts of the Tokyo Industries business which continues to operate other BrewDog venues in Yorkshire. Photo: BrewDog / Yorkshire Post
6. The Expanse Bridlington
A landmark hotel in Bridlington which has been run by the same family for nearly 90 years say they have been forced to close by “difficult trading conditions”. The Expanse was built in 1937 by Edmond Cooper Briggs and has been run by four generations of the family. Its owners said they were announcing the closure of the hotel and Marine Bar “with great sadness” and paid tribute to the “wonderful” guests and loyal staff, who had made the hotel “a happy place”. The announcement sparked an outpouring of memories from guests on social media who’d had their honeymoon there, or wedding reception, or other special event. One wrote: “So sad, I had my honeymoon here and many subsequent holidays, I loved staying here - wishing you all the very best.” Photo: Google
7. Slug & Lettuce Huddersfield
Bar chain Slug and Lettuce announced the closure of the Huddersfield location on King Street in a social media message. The message reads: “After an amazing journey, Slug & Lettuce Huddersfield has sadly closed its doors. We’ve loved every laugh, every cocktail, and every glittery moment shared with you all. Thank you for being part of the fun and making it so special!” Many shared their disappointment and shock at the closure. Photo: GOOGLE
8. Sandersons
Sandersons has been open at the Fox Valley retail park in Stocksbridge to the north of Sheffield since September 2016 but has announced on Facebook it will be closing within weeks. The company, which has another site in Stroud which will be remaining open along with an online presence, is part of the Dransfield Properties group of businesses which is also behind the wider Fox Valley development. Photo: Google