Pub chain Mitchell & Butlers will close 20 locations

Mitchells & Butlers (MABL) is set to close up to 20 of its pubs and restaurants across Britain, putting dozens of jobs at risk, it was reported.

The firm, which owns chains Toby Carvery and O'Neill, previously says that sales have been down 35 per cent year-on-year to September 19, when the pandemic struck the nation with the loss of catering outlets.

A pre-trade update in September said that while a temporary VAT cut contributed to sales growth of 1.4% by Government-funded Eat Out to Help Out plus, the long lock-in period had been a considerable drag on entire sales for the full year.

During the first three weeks of September, likewise comparable sales declined by 6%.

At the time she said her prospects remained 'challenging and uncertain' given new restrictions on British pubs and restaurants in order to address a rising number of COVID cases.

It was reported last month Mitchell & Butler had opened severance talks with the employees without announcing how many jobs were in danger.