The pub group that operates The Botanist bars has closed three more locations across the UK as part of an ongoing company restructure. This follows the closure of three high-profile bars in October, including the flagship Botanist in Alderley Edge.
The Botanist bars in Sheffield and Coventry have been closed with immediate effect by their owners, New World Trading Company. Additionally, the North Light restaurant in Chester city centre, which opened in 2023, has also shut its doors.
The pub group, renowned for its plant-themed interiors, botanical cocktails, and signature hanging kebabs, has announced the closure of its Sheffield, Coventry, and Chester locations. According to company bosses, these sites were among the group's least profitable venues.
The closures are part of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) approved by creditors in October, aimed at clearing debts within a specified timeframe.
A statement from the company said: 'New World Trading Company launched a CVA in October 2024 which was approved by more than 95% of all responding creditors. As part of the successful CVA process, the business has announced a further 3 non-profitable sites will close during January.
'The business has undergone changes to its estate across the last 18 months including successfully rebranding The Club House, The Smugglers Cove, and The Canal House to The Botanist.
'NWTC has opened new locations under the Botanist brand in Edinburgh, Sunderland and Barnsley and will continue to expand in 2025 with a new Botanist opening in Bournemouth in May 2025.'
The closures will not affect any of the group's remaining bars, including The Botanist at MediaCity in Salford and The Oast House in Spinningfields, Manchester.
The Botanist's large bar and restaurant on Deansgate was quietly closed last summer. In October, The Botanist bars in Alderley Edge and Knutsford also shut down, surprising diners. Both locations remain vacant.
Alderley Edge was home to the very first The Botanist, launched by Living Ventures in 2012 as a new concept amid significant publicity. The Knutsford location followed in 2016.
Since its inception, the group has expanded nationwide and now operates under the New World Trading Company. It continues to run 28 locations across the UK.
Bosses have confirmed that The Furnace bar in Sheffield will be converted into a new The Botanist location in February, following the closure of the original Botanist bar.
