The Queen Victoria pub in Burnley could close as a chain announces plans to axe 1,500 jobs, sell some branches and open new hotel rooms. 

The Queen Victoria road pub is one of three Brewers Fayre pub/restaurant chains in Lancashire under consultation, as Premier Inn owner Whitbread reveals plans to slash its chain of branded restaurants by more than 200 in favour of building more hotel rooms.

Cottams Field, in Lancaster, and Yeadon Way, in Blackpool, are other sites that could be impacted by the plans.

It has been confirmed that the development plans will not impact the Lower Darwen-based Oakenhurst Farm pub and restaurant.

A spokesperson for Whitbread said the proposed site closures are “subject to consultation” adding that they are currently open and trading.

The move is part of a plan to “optimise” food and drink offerings under the brand to add more than 3,500 hotel rooms across its estate and increase so “it can meet increased demand and deliver a better experience for even more hotel guests”.

Whitbread said it plans to sell 126 of its less profitable branded restaurants, although these will continue to operate as normal so that they can be sold as going concerns.

It will also convert 112 restaurants into integrated Premier Inn restaurants and hotel rooms.

The plans will result in the reduction of around 1,500 roles out of a total workforce of 37,000. 

The company said it will try to create new roles through its new programme and expects “to retain a significant proportion of those who wish to remain with [them]”.

A spokesperson for Whitbread said: “With the exception of Oakenhurst Farm, which is not affected, we have announced proposals that could impact [other Lancashire sites].

“It is important to note they are subject to consultation. Worth also noting that they are still currently open and trading.

“We recognise that this will be unsettling for our team members and we are providing them with dedicated support.

“We are committed to working hard to enable as many as possible of our affected team members to stay with us by either transferring into new roles or by taking up other vacancies across the business more broadly through our existing recruitment activity.”

Dominic Paul, chief executive, said: “When I joined Whitbread as CEO in January 2023, it was clear to me that we had a high-performing hotels business, with a strong platform for growth in both the UK and Germany. 

"Our strategy of continuing to invest in our brand, teams, and estate for the benefit of our guests and customers has secured a market-leading position for Premier Inn in the UK and is also delivering strong business performance.

“Our significant freehold estate and strong balance sheet mean we are in a unique position to be able to add 3,500 new hotel rooms and meet the strong demand we are seeing from guests around the country, whilst continuing to offer a great breakfast and dinner at all of our hotels.

"This plan is a further positive step, delivering a better experience for our hotel guests and helping to extend our market leadership in the UK.

“I recognise that these changes will be unsettling for affected team members and we are committed to working hard to enable as many as possible of those affected to stay with Whitbread by either transferring into roles this plan will create or by taking up other vacancies across the business more broadly through our existing recruitment activity that makes c.15,000 hires each year.

"Our teams are at the heart of our guest experience, and I want to thank each and every team member for their continued hard work and dedication to deliver the great quality, service and value that our guests expect from us.”