A popular Bracknell restaurant has announced its proposed closure following the company’s plans to slash its chain branded restaurants by more than 200.

The Downshire Arms Beefeater, located on Downshire Way is a pub-style chain serving up a menu of grilled meats and international favourites.

Following recent rumours of the restaurants closure, the Whitbread Group, which owns a variety of eateries including Beefeater, has confirmed that the Downshire Arms could be affected.

A spokesperson for the Whitbread Group said: “We have announced proposals which could impact this site, but important to note they are subject to consultation.

“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.”

The group has stated that across all of its brands, which includes the Premier Inn, closures and job losses are subject to further consultation.

Upon news that Whitbread Group would be slashing restaurants, they stated that they hope to add a further 3,500 rooms to their hotels to increase “operational efficiency”.

This is part of the ‘Accelerating Growth Plan’ that will take place over the next few years.

Dominic Paul, Chief Executive Officer, said: “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.” 

The restaurant is currently trading at regular operational opening hours until further notice.