Brewery giant to sell 150 pubs and close another 20 under major plans

"Greene King is hiving off about 300 managed pubs into a new business division, with roughly half earmarked for sale. Around 20 of its 1,500 managed pubs are also set to close, though the company noted this aligns with typical annual changes. Impacted staff will be offered jobs elsewhere within the business."

"The pub sector faces immense cost pressures from rising wage bills, increasing business rates, and a difficult consumer spending backdrop. While the Government has announced a package of temporary support for pubs to offset business rate hikes, the industry has argued it does not go far enough."

Greene King, Britain's second-largest pub group, is undertaking a major restructuring of its estate in response to soaring operational costs and a difficult trading environment. The company plans to sell approximately 150 of its managed sites and convert another 150 into tenanted pubs. Around 300 managed pubs will be transferred into a new business division, with roughly half designated for sale. Additionally, approximately 20 of its 1,500 managed pubs will close, consistent with typical annual changes. Affected staff will be offered alternative positions within the business. The pub sector faces significant financial pressures from rising wages, increased business rates, and weak consumer spending. Although the Government has provided temporary business rate support for pubs, industry leaders argue the assistance remains insufficient.

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