Iconic bar could disappear from UK’s high street after going bust

Signage for the Revolution nightclub and bar in Reading. (Photo credit: Geoffrey Swaine/Shutterstock)
The owner of Revolution bars has blamed ‘challenging economic conditions’ (Picture: Geoffrey Swaine/Shutterstock)

Revolution Bars is set to go into administration, putting the iconic bar chain at risk of disappearing from the high street.

The parent company Revel Collective, which owns 62 bars including Revolucion de Cuba and Peach Pubs, said on Monday it had filed to enter administration after putting itself up for sale in October.

Discussions with a buyer are ‘well advanced’, they added, but any deal will likely leave shareholders with nothing after the sale.

Revolution bars – known affectionately as Revs – as well as Revolucion de Cuba and Peach Pubs will stay open during the process.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Swaine/Shutterstock (14297215e) Revolution nightclub and bar in Reading has shut down for good due to young customers feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis. The closure of the popular Station Road venue was confirmed by Revolution Bars Group plc in an update on its financial performance. The late-night bar/nightclub and restaurant is one of eight sites to close nationally, including bars in Derby, Beaconsfield, St Peters Liverpool and Wilmslow, as well as Revoluci?n de Cubas in Sheffield and Southampton and the Playhouse in Newcastle-Under-Lyme. Revolution Reading closes amid cost of living crisis, Reading, Berkshire, UK - 12 Jan 2024
Revolution has become affectionally nicknamed ‘Revs’ (Picture: Geoffrey Swaine/Shutterstock)

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Revel Collective has blamed ‘challenging economic conditions’ for their financial difficulties, criticising Rachel Reeves budget decisions.

The chancellor used her first Labour budget to increase National Insurance contributions from employers and raise the minimum wage.

Revel Collective also criticised her duties on spirits, which they said would cost them an extra £4million a year.

The company launched a turnaround plan, which saw it shut 15 loss-making bars, but that was not enough to save its future.

In their statement, they owners said administrators will be appointed within 10 days.

In December, Revel Collective said it had found ‘a significant number’ of potential buyers.

Nottingham, UK - April 11, 2022: Revolution bar, restaurant and party venue in central Nottingham, UK.; Shutterstock ID 2183917495; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -
Revs will remain open (Picture: Shutterstock / Nigel J. Harris)

The announcement came as new data revealed a surge of hospitality closures towards the end of 2025.

Consumer research firm NIQ showed that 384 hospitality firms shut up shop in the final three months of the year, equating to more than four each day.

This has left 98,914 hospitality sites still open in the UK at the end of the year.

 Karl Chessell, director of hospitality operators and food at NIQ said ‘relentless increases in operating costs’ are hurting the sector.

The Chancellor is expected to unveil a £300million support package for pubs as soon as today as she’s been warned about the threat of mass closures to the industry.

Pubs are expected to receive around £100 million a year until 2029, but restaurants, cafes and hotels are expected to misss out on the financial help.

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