LAYOFFS could be imminent at several Revolution bars across England after the chain announced today that it would close eight sites.

The company said that its bars in Beaconsfield, Derby, Reading, St Peters Liverpool and Wilmslow would shut down and that it was seeking to redeploy staff from these sites.

Two of its Revolucion de Cuba bars, in Sheffield and Southampton, will also close, as will the Playhouse gaming bar in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Following the closures, Revolution will still operate 22 pubs and 58 bars.

Chief executive Rob Pitcher said the closure of the bars, which are often student-oriented, was because “our younger customers are still feeling the disproportionate effect of the cost-of-living crisis.”

Despite lauding his employees for doing a “terrific job,” Mr Pitcher did not feel that they deserved a fair pay packet. He also blamed the closure of “unprofitable” bars on the minimum wage increase due in April.