‘Another one bites the dust’, sob punters as iconic bar chain shuts ‘amazing’ venue forever in string of mass closures

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PUNTERS are devastated after learning a bar chain favourite is set to shut down 12 iconic locations – with more at risk.

Disappointed revellers cried “where will we go now” as the popular pub branch announced it would be calling last orders for good in just days.

Michael Schofield

A Revolution branch in Torquay, Devon, announced it would be waving goodbye to customers[/caption]

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The beloved branch on Fleet Walk is being shut down amid a string of devastating closures[/caption]

Revolution Bars confirmed its branch on Torquay’s Fleet Walk in Devon will serve final drinks after nearly a decade.

Meanwhile, Revolution Bars Group said earlier this year that five Revolution venues, five Revolución de Cuba branches and a Playhouse pub were going to wave goodbye permanently.

But Devon sites had supposedly been safe from closure.

A Revolution spokesperson wrote: “We are sorry to say that we will be closing the doors on Torquay on or around 09/06/2024.

“We’re going to be throwing the best parties and serving up the best food up until this time, come and join us for one last Pornstar Martini.”

A devastated customer penned their frustration on Facebook and wrote: “Oh no I love Revs.”

“Where are we going to go for cute cocktail dates now?” cried another.

A third wrote: “Good luck everyone for the future.”

Others expressed their distress with broken-hearts and crying-face emojis.

It comes as Revolution Bar Group announced it may be forced to close 12 of its bars in a bid to shore up its finances, after six shuttered already.

In March, the bar group was reportedly looking at axeing around 20 of its worst-performing pubs.

There was said to be proposals to chop around a quarter of its venues to stay afloat.

Chief executive Rob Pitcher said previously: “We have had the best festive trading period for four years with all of our brands recording positive like-for-like sales and Revolucion de Cuba being the standout performer.

“However, our younger customers are still feeling the disproportionate effect of the cost-of-living crisis and the national living wage will increase materially in April 2024.

“Therefore, we have taken the difficult yet ultimately beneficial step for the group to close several bars which are unprofitable.”

However, in a recent statement, the group said it was looking to raise up to £12.5million through fundraising.

But if it does not go ahead, it could face “liquidity pressures” next year, the group said.

Why is Revolution closing down bars?

The group revealed it was dealing with the cost of living hitting customers’ finances and train strikes affecting its younger clientele

The bar and pub chain also said it was struggling following pressures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, rising inflation and staff shortages.

Revolution had to close six bars back in 2020 as it struggled to keep afloat due to coronavirus restrictions.

The bar chain shuttered venues in London, Bath, Birmingham, Clapham, Solihull and Sunderland.

Due to soaring energy bills, the chain was forced to shut its venues on Mondays and Tuesdays in January 2023.

In January, the bar group said it would close eight of its boozers and blamed younger customers spending less than they used to.

Then in April this year the company faced backlash when it had its shares suspended from the London Stock Exchange.

The group, which owns 58 bars and 22 gastro pubs, was required to publish its interim results for the second half of last year by the end of March.

But it said it was unable to do so, which resulted in the suspension of its shares on the AIM index at the time.

The company did not explain the delay but said the suspension would be lifted when the results are published in “due course”.

Public companies must follow certain rules, like issuing regular financial updates, to avoid having their shares suspended.

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