ONE of Minehead’s largest and most popular pubs and restaurants, the Brewers Fayre, on Seaward Way, will close on September 7 and is on the market for £725,000, owners Whitbread has announced.

A total of 89 Brewers Fayres, including another in Somerset, in Glastonbury, are calling last orders as part of Whitbreads’ plan to focus corporate efforts on its Premier Inn hotel chain during the next five years.

The company will also call time on its 106 Beefeater pubs, of which there are two in Somerset, on September 10.

This follows a Whitbreads business review which revealed changes made in the Government’s last Budget, plus higher wages and increased food bills, would cost it an extra £50 million.

The Minehead Brewers Fayre opened in March, 2017, when its first customers were welcomed by Beano comic characters Dennis the Menace and Gnasher the dog, and offered free food.

The business opened with a staff of 40.

A company spokesperson said this week that while efforts would be made to keep employees, some jobs would be at risk.

The spokesperson said: “We expect to be able to retain a significant proportion of those affected and will be looking to redeploy as many of our impacted colleagues as possible.”

They said some of the closed businesses will be converted into additional Premier Inn rooms.

In the meantime, the Minehead premises have been put on the market by agents Christie Owen and Davies for £725,000, and described as ‘a strong mix of year-round local trade and significant seasonal visitor demand’.

The freehold property has a bar and restaurant seating for 128 people, plus outdoor facilities for 86.

The adjoining 102-bedroom Premier Inn hotel is said to enhance customer footfall.

A spokesperson for the agents said: “Overall, the property represents a well-located hospitality opportunity with strong trading potential.”