Stephen Kinnock MP has written to Whitbread CEO Dominic Paul calling on the company to think again before closing the Bagle Brook Beefeater in Baglan — adding his voice to a campaign that has been building since the closure was announced.
Kinnock, who represents Aberafan Maesteg, says he is joining the campaign to save the pub — following local councillors Josh Tuck, Carol Clement-Williams and Susanne Renkes, who have already written to Whitbread’s CEO demanding answers over the decision.
In his letter, Kinnock describes the Bagle Brook as “a well-established and much-valued part of the local community” that is “frequented by large swathes of residents on a regular basis.”
He says for many people it is far more than simply a place to eat or drink — it is a social hub and a focal point of community life, with generations of local families having enjoyed it as a welcoming, family-friendly environment.
The MP also highlights the economic contribution the pub makes, describing it as an important source of employment for local people whose livelihoods depend on it.
He warns that losing such a long-standing establishment would be “a serious blow — not only to those directly employed, but to the wider local economy and supply chain.”
Kinnock argues that pubs and restaurants like the Bagle Brook are essential to community cohesion — offering spaces for social interaction, celebrations and support networks, and helping to combat isolation and strengthen local identity.
“Removing such an asset risks leaving a significant gap that is unlikely to be easily replaced,” the letter warns.
He urges Whitbread to carefully reflect on the wider impact of the decision and to explore all possible alternatives to closure — and says he would welcome the opportunity to work constructively with the company “to find a way forward that safeguards this important community facility.”
(Image: Stephen Kinnock MP)
Whitbread has responded to the local political pressure. In a letter to the councillors, the company said it was unable to address specific questions while the consultation was ongoing, but confirmed it expected the process to close in summer.
The company said the closures were part of a plan to become “a pure-play hotel business focused on Premier Inn”, adding that a number of restaurant sites would be converted into approximately 600 additional hotel rooms, with the remainder expected to be sold as going concerns. It said it expected to retain “a significant proportion” of affected staff through redeployment, though it acknowledged the proposals would result in around 3,800 job losses from a total UK and Ireland workforce of around 30,000.
The Bagle Brook is one of four local restaurants facing closure as part of Whitbread’s decision to axe up to 3,800 jobs across its UK estate — a move that sent shockwaves across south Wales when it was announced.
In Llanelli, a parallel campaign is under way to save the Sandpiper — another Whitbread venue facing the axe, with the community describing the news as “a bombshell for all concerned”.
With an MP now formally in the correspondence, the pressure on Whitbread to respond publicly is increasing. Whether it will be enough to change the company’s mind remains to be seen.
Discover more from Swansea Bay News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
