Huge chain with 27 Birmingham pubs says 'venues not at risk' as it struggles with £2bn debt

Concerns have been raised for the future of 27 bars across Birmingham after a debt-stricken pub chain revealed there was 'uncertainty' about its ability to continue. Stonegate, the UK's largest pub group, is grappling with £2.3bn in debts.

The company, which operates Slug and Lettuce and Be At One bars alongside several smaller standalone venues, has yet to secure new loans to plug the hole in its finances, despite repayments being due as early as June next year.

Talks with potential lenders are said to be under way. The company has 4,000 venues, including 98 across the West Midlands and 27 in Birmingham alone.

It has told BirminghamLive, pubs aren’t at risk of closure and no venues are at risk as a result of refinancing.

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It follows a turbulent few years for the hospitality industry following forced closures during the Covid pandemic, rising costs and faltering customer spending habits due to the cost of living crisis. Stonegate's company accounts revealed a 'material uncertainty' that 'may cast significant doubt on the company and group's ability to continue as a going concern'.

However Stonegate's chief executive, David McDowall said: "We would also like to assure our valued employees and partners that venues are not at risk as a result of this process."

The CEO previously said: "We have been very clear that we continue to work towards achieving our long-term balance sheet goals, with the successful refinancing of a portion of our estate in December marking a significant strategic step towards this.

"Our performance gives me real confidence in the future and excitement in seeing our strategy come to fruition. We would also like to assure our valued employees and partners that venues are not at risk as a result of this process.”

See below for a list of the 28 Birmingham bars which are run by Stonegate

Full list of Stonegate-owned pubs and bars in Birmingham

• Be At One, Brindleyplace

• Be At One, Birmingham New Street

• The Bell, Harborne

• Brasshouse, Broad Street

• Bristol Pear, Bristol Road

• The Digby, Chester Road, Erdington

• Farthings, Green Lane

• Felson's, Broad Street

• The Great Stone Inn, Church Road

• The Hamstead, Green Lane

• Harborne Stores, Harborne High Street

• Popworld, Broad Street

• Reflex, Broad Street

• Rosies, Broad Street

• Scott Arms, Newtown Road

• Slug and Lettuce, Brindleyplace

• Slug and Lettuce, Harborne High Street

• Slug and Lettuce, Sutton Coldfield

• The Swan, Erdington High Street

• Tennis Court, Walsall Road

• The Goose, Bristol Road, Selly Oak

• Gosta Green, Holt Street

This story has been updated to reflect information from the company that there are no pubs or venues currently at risk.