Company shift sees two Halifax sites earmarked for closure
Two well-known family dining venues in Halifax are set to close in September after their parent company announced it will move away from running branded restaurants. The Water Mill Brewers Fayre on Huddersfield Road, Salterhebble, will shut on 7 September, while the Beefeater at Broad Street Plaza in the town centre will close on 10 September.
The closures form part of a wider strategy by Whitbread, which owns Premier Inn alongside the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre brands, to focus on its hotel operations and either convert or dispose of its standalone restaurant sites. In Halifax, customers who have relied on those family-friendly venues for breakfasts and evening meals will have to find alternatives once the doors shut.
- Water Mill Brewers Fayre (Huddersfield Road, Salterhebble) — closes 7 September
- Beefeater (Broad Street Plaza, Halifax town centre) — closes 10 September
Whitbread said the firm will keep serving breakfast and dinner inside its hotels, and that the new format mirrors what already operates in more than half of its Premier Inn properties. The group has confirmed that many of the affected sites will either be converted into additional hotel rooms or put up for sale.
“We will continue to offer a great breakfast and dinner at all hotels, replacing branded restaurants with a restaurant inside the hotel. This mirrors the format which is already in operation in over half of Premier Inn hotels and is highly popular with hotel guests.”
The change was first signalled earlier in the year and Whitbread estimated the move could lead to the loss of nearly 4,000 jobs across the UK, with the company subsequently saying the proposals could reduce roles by about 3,800 from a total UK and Ireland workforce of roughly 30,000. The group also stresses it recruits around 15,000 people each year and expects to redeploy as many colleagues as possible.
Local impact: staff, customers and town centre trade
For Halifax, the immediate concerns are twofold: the staff who work at the local sites, and the customers — families, shift workers and hotel guests — who use the restaurants on a regular basis. While Whitbread has said it will try to retain as many of the affected colleagues as possible, the company’s own projections suggest a significant reduction in roles is likely across the wider estate.
Town-centre businesses may also feel a knock-on effect. The Beefeater at Broad Street Plaza sits in a part of Halifax that benefits from passing trade and shoppers looking for convenient dining. Its closure could reduce footfall, particularly in the early evening, and limit options for groups who prefer an informal sit-down meal.
| Site | Location | Closure Date |
|---|---|---|
| Water Mill Brewers Fayre | Huddersfield Road, Salterhebble | 7 September |
| Beefeater | Broad Street Plaza, Halifax town centre | 10 September |
There is a wider national story here too. Whitbread’s decision to prioritise its hotel business reflects shifting patterns in hospitality and an effort to concentrate on a core brand. For Halifax residents, the outcome will be fewer mid-market, branded options on the high street and an uncertain period for staff currently employed at the two sites.
Those affected will be watching closely to see what support is offered and whether alternative local employers can take on staff who want to stay in the town. In the meantime, regulars who have clocked up breakfasts and family suppers at the Water Mill and Beefeater will need to find a new favourite — or learn to cook, which, let’s be honest, could go either way.
