Revolution Bars to enter administration with 2,200 jobs at risk

Revolution Bars to enter administration with 2,200 jobs at risk

Revel Collective, the company behind Revolucion de Cuba and Peach Pubs, is set to enter administration, placing up to 2,200 jobs at risk. This parent company manages 62 pubs and bars across the United Kingdom and made the decision to seek a buyer in October amid what it described as “a continued period of external challenges.” Despite ongoing negotiations with potential purchasers, Revel Collective has formally filed for administration, which means the firm’s shareholders are expected to lose their investments once the sale concludes.

The chain’s establishments will remain operational throughout the administration process, although its shares have been suspended from trading on London’s AIM stock market. Luke Johnson, former chief executive of Pizza Express and the current chairman of Revel Collective, stated that administrators would be appointed within ten days. In a recent announcement, the company emphasized that the deals under consideration would wipe out shareholders and that entering administration was necessary to safeguard creditors, including financial institutions. Back in December, Revel Collective had revealed interest from a “significant number” of prospective buyers, with hospitality groups like Neos Hospitality among those publicly linked to the sale, and an official decision is expected soon.

When the company put itself on the market last autumn, it attributed its difficulties to “challenging economic conditions” alongside policies introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her first Budget following Labour’s 2024 election victory. These policy changes included increased national insurance contributions for employers and a rise in the minimum wage. Revel Collective also criticized an increase in duties on spirits, stating that this would cost the group more than £4 million annually. Although the company implemented a turnaround strategy that involved closing 15 underperforming bars, these efforts were insufficient to stabilize its business.

The troubles at Revel Collective are consistent with broader difficulties faced by the UK’s hospitality sector. Recent data from consumer research firm NIQ showed that 382 hospitality businesses closed in the last quarter of 2025, averaging more than four closures per day, leaving the country with 98,914 hospitality venues at year-end. Karl Chessell, NIQ’s director of hospitality operators and food, pointed to “relentless increases in operating costs” as a major factor affecting businesses. Industry leaders have warned that the sector could face an even deeper crisis once planned changes to business rates take effect in April. The chancellor is reportedly considering easing these reforms for pubs, amid warnings that without government intervention, mass closures are inevitable. However, pressure remains for a broader support package that helps the entire hospitality industry, not just pubs. The Treasury has been contacted for comment

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More