By An uncertain future for three Cleethorpes pubs
The future looks uncertain for three Cleethorpes pubs following mounting pressure due to the ongoing pandemic.
The Pear Tree, the Trawlerman and Smugglers are all owned by Wolverhampton-based firm Marstons.
Last October, the pubs within the portfolio of brewery and pub chain Marston’s became subject to job cuts when it announced plans to axe some 2,150 jobs as a result of the pandemic.
A spokesperson said the financial outlook looks “uncertain”, adding that the company had taken a £40m hit.
Trade at Marston’s pubs has been hit hard by multiple lockdowns and by the 10pm curfew.
Requirements for full table service and for PPE to be worn by staff and customers has also increased price pressures.
The chief executive of Marston’s Ralph Findlay has criticised the Government’s lack of consistency. He said:
“I am very disappointed that the improving confidence we were seeing among customers, helped by the Eat out to Help Out campaign, has been thrown in to reverse.
“That is a bigger issue than the 10pm curfew.
“If you look at the amount of business we do after 10pm across our 1,400 pubs that is about 5% of turnover.
“It is significant but not huge and, of course, it is different for different operators. For town centre or city centre bars it is a much bigger issue. For us the main issue is a change in sentiment.
“I am concerned it is getting to look like panic in Government which does not have a consistent approach to what it is trying to do.
“It is particularly frustrating to look at the Public Health England data which tracks where rises in infections are coming from.
“The wider hospitality sector, including coffee shops and restaurants, is 5% of the outside of home infection numbers.”
Now, the Marstons is the takeover target of an American company named Platinum Equity.
Marstons is currently resisting and have rejected the most recent bid, but have admitted that at present, the future looks uncertain.
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