Premier Inn parent to cut up to 6,000 roles

Whitbread said the move, which will see its workforce reduced by 18%, was "regrettable but necessary step" to ensure it emerges from the coronavirus crisis with a lower cost base, more flexible operating model and "stronger more resilient business".

Redundancies will spread across hotel and restaurant staff, Whitbread confirmed in a note to the stock exchange on Tuesday (22 September). The firm also owns the Beefeater restaurant chain.

Whitbread said first-half sales were "significantly down" year-on-year owing to the closure of the "vast majority" of its hotels and restaurants due to the UK’s coronavirus lockdown.