Over the last two years, Stonegate invested £6.5m in some Slug & Lettuce sites, in a bid to evolve the brand’s look and feel, ensuring each site is operating in the format best suited to its location and market. The brand turned 40 last year.
Recent local reports have highlighted changes at Slug & Lettuce sites in Bromsgrove, Romford, Bournemouth, Sutton Coldfield, Fareham and Watford, alongside a Be At One in Bristol. In some cases, properties have been marketed for sale or are seeking new operators, while others have reopened under new names following refurbishment.
For example, the Sutton Coldfield Slug & Lettuce has reopened as The Distillery, while the Fareham site has relaunched as Embers & Ice. Other sites, including Bromsgrove and Bournemouth, are currently listed for sale or have been reported locally as set to close, although they remain advertised on brand websites.
13 sites down
According to Stonegate’s website, the Slug & Lettuce estate currently stands at 64 sites, down from 77 reported in May 2025.
Stonegate stressed that the changes do not represent closures but form part of a long term strategic shift to reduce its managed portfolio and expand its Pub Partners model where appropriate.
Under the managed model, venues are operated directly by Stonegate under central brand control. By contrast, its Pub Partners division places sites with independent operators on a leased and tenanted basis, often allowing greater flexibility over branding and offer to better reflect local demand.
The shift aligns with Stonegate’s plans to inject £30m into its Pub Partners estate this year, following a £12m spend in the first quarter of the financial year. The investment includes a new co-investment programme aimed at targeted refurbishments, enhanced outdoor trading space and improvements to operational systems and support tools.
Transformation strategy
A spokesperson for Stonegate said: “The sites referenced are not closing. They are part of our ongoing transformation strategy, and we are investing in them as they move into our Pub Partners model. This is part of our successful strategy to reshape our estate.
“We recognise that the way people socialise, connect with brands, and choose where to spend their time has evolved, and customers increasingly value the people behind the bar over the brand above the door. By empowering entrepreneurial operators through our Pub Partners model, we’re building pubs that are more resilient, community-driven, and adaptable to changing guest habits.”
The moves reflect Stonegate’s continued emphasis on a partnership led model as it seeks to optimise format and performance across its estate.
