The bar’s closure is part of a nationwide decision affecting 21 venues
The venue, known for its cocktails and flavoured vodkas, is to close with immediate effect.(Image: Will Johnston Photography)
A well-known Leicester bar is to close with immediate effect after going into administration.
Revolution, a bar in the city’s New Walk, is among 21 venues that have been shut with immediate effect today (January 27). All 14 Revolution bars, six Revolucion de Cuba bars, and one Peach Pub, all owned by The Revel Collective, have been affected.
The closures have resulted in the loss of 591 jobs after the company appointed administrators, who have announced a sale securing other parts of the business. FTI Consulting has been brought in for the pub and bar operator.
Ali Jimi from the coffee shop directly next door to Leicester’s Revolution, Free Coffee Co Working Space, said: “It is bad because the area will be very dead. In this area there is nothing like it.
“In this area there is only Revolution, and right next to it, me. There’s nothing else.
“I would love to have some more bars and restaurants and stuff to have movement because this place is getting more and more dead all the time. We have more competition for coffee shops. We have five coffee shops in one spot, so it’s a little bit annoying.”
Revolution in New Walk(Image: Will Johnston Photography)
Ali described the news as “very upsetting” and highlighted how busy Revolution would get at times. He added: “Revolution is famous. Most people will come on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, sometimes in the mornings when there’s football on – they are packed with people and stuff.
“It’s very upsetting.”
The bar opened in New Walk in 1999, and was known for its range of cocktails and flavoured vodka shots, as well as its late-night party atmosphere. The venue also served up food including burgers, pizzas and brunch.
Just 100 yards away is another late-night bar called Sophy, in King Street. The general manager of Sophy said: “We’re very saddened to hear about the closure of Revolution.
“The nightclub industry in Leicester has been under immense pressure, and it’s upsetting to see another well-known venue close its doors. Our thoughts are with the staff and everyone affected. Nightlife venues are an important part of the city’s culture and community, and their loss is felt across the whole hospitality sector.”
The Revel Collective, which is chaired by former Pizza Express boss Luke Johnson, said it has struggled against rising costs and weaker consumer spending, particularly among its younger clientele.
Administrators FTI have confirmed a pair of deals which will secure the future of 41 sites and 1,582 jobs. The Revolution and Revolucion de Cuba brands and assets have been bought by Neos Hospitality Group, which runs the Barbara’s Bier Haus and Bonnie Rogues brands.
Meanwhile, the remaining Peach Pubs business has been acquired by a newly formed group, Coral Pub Company. The Revel Collective put itself up for sale in October as its cash crisis deepened and sales slumped.
It warned two months later that shareholders were likely to be wiped out as part of any deal. The group undertook a major restructuring in 2024, in which it shut 15 unprofitable bars in a bid to turn around its performance.
The revamp plans however faltered and it launched a strategic review last autumn into funding and a sale of all or parts of the business. Bosses at the firm have previously flagged that sales have been weaker than expected, as younger customers reined in their spending.
Parts of the UK’s nightlife industry have struggled since the Covid pandemic, with many sites forced to close amid changing behaviours among consumers and an array of rising business costs. Higher national insurance contributions, minimum wage increases and duty on spirits were also cited as having a detrimental impact on the group’s trading.
