London-based cocktail bar chain Simmons has entered administration, marking another major blow to the UK’s struggling hospitality sector. The upscale bar group, known for its vibrant venues and late-night happy hours, has announced the closure of at least four sites as part of a wider restructuring plan.

According to company filings, Simmons has appointed Kroll to oversee the administration process. The business is the latest one to join the growing list of hospitality businesses in the UK that have succumbed to rising costs, dwindling consumer spending, and unsustainable tax burdens.

“As part of the process, we’ve taken the tough decision to exit four leases, allowing management to focus resources on our strongest performing venues,” said Simmons founder Nick Campbell. “Alongside this, we’ve secured additional investment to support future expansion and operational improvements across the estate.

Once operating more than 20 venues across the UK, Simmons’ administration is emblematic of the broader crisis engulfing UK businesses in 2025. A perfect storm of inflationary pressures, staffing challenges, and punitive tax policies has pushed many bar, pub, and restaurant operators to the brink. This has made it all the more difficult for businesses to sustain, especially in tier 1 cities like London, where operating costs are significantly higher and footfall has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels.

More than half of London hospitality businesses are now operating at or below break even.

What this collapse means for distressed asset buyers

For investors and turnaround specialists tracking UK bar administrations, Simmons represents both a warning and an opportunity. The decision to exit underperforming leases and secure new capital points to a sector-wide trend: businesses are being forced to shrink in order to survive.

With the hospitality industry accounting for a rising proportion of UK insolvencies, early visibility into closures like Simmons is crucial for those looking to acquire distressed hospitality assets, whether through pre-pack sales, lease takeovers, or asset auctions.

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