Leeds Revolution Electric Press Closes Doors After Revel Administration

Key Points

• Revolution Electric Press, a popular bar in Leeds, has closed its doors permanently as of January 27, 2026.
• The closure forms part of a wider collapse of The Revel Collective, a major UK bar operator, which entered administration.
• Administrators cited rising costs and weaker spending by younger customers as key factors rendering parts of the business unsustainable.​
• The administration triggered the shutdown of 14 Revolution bars, six Revolucion de Cuba venues, and one Peach Pub across the country.
• This resulted in 591 job losses nationwide.
• However, large parts of the business were sold by administrators at FTI Consulting, securing the future of 41 other venues and protecting 1,582 jobs.
• The Leeds team shared an emotional farewell on social media, stating: “We have loved shaking your cocktails and creating unmissable parties and events over the years, but as of January 27, we are sadly closing our doors in Leeds Electric Press.”

Leeds (The Leeds Times) January 28, 2026 – The team behind Revolution Electric Press bid a heartfelt farewell to loyal patrons as the popular Leeds bar shuttered for the final time on January 27, following the administration of its parent company, The Revel Collective. This closure marks one of 21 venue shutdowns across the UK, driven by mounting operational pressures, though administrators have salvaged much of the group’s portfolio.

Why Did Revolution Electric Press in Leeds Close?

The closure of Revolution Electric Press stems directly from The Revel Collective’s entry into administration, a move that As reported by journalists at the Yorkshire Evening Post, has led to the immediate cessation of operations at several high-profile sites. Administrators from FTI Consulting highlighted that rising costs, including energy and staffing expenses, combined with reduced discretionary spending among younger demographics, made these venues unviable. In their official statement, the administrators noted that “rising costs and weaker spending by younger customers made parts of the business unsustainable”.

Revolution Electric Press, located in the vibrant Electric Press complex in Leeds city centre, was one of only a handful of Revolution bars affected nationwide. The site had built a reputation for lively cocktail service and event hosting, but could not weather the financial storm engulfing its operator.

Which Other Bars Are Closing Due to The Revel Collective Administration?

The fallout from The Revel Collective’s administration extends beyond Leeds, with a total of 14 Revolution bars, six Revolucion de Cuba venues, and one Peach Pub set to close. As detailed in coverage by the Yorkshire Evening Post, these closures are part of a strategic restructuring to preserve the group’s core operations. Specific locations include multiple sites in major cities, though Leeds’ Electric Press was pinpointed as a casualty early on.

No full list of every closing venue was omitted in reports; the 14 Revolution bars encompass urban hotspots that failed profitability thresholds. This shake-up underscores broader challenges in the UK hospitality sector, where independent operators struggle similarly.

How Many Jobs Have Been Lost and Saved?

The closures have exacted a heavy toll on employment, resulting in 591 job losses across the affected sites. These redundancies affect bartenders, event staff, and management teams who contributed to the venues’ atmospheres, including the dedicated crew at Revolution Electric Press in Leeds.

On a more positive note, FTI Consulting confirmed the sale of substantial business segments, safeguarding 41 venues and 1,582 positions. This intervention ensures brands like Revolution continue trading at viable locations, preventing a total wipeout.

What Did the Leeds Team Say in Their Farewell Statement?

In a poignant social media post, the Revolution Electric Press team expressed gratitude to their patrons. The statement read verbatim:

“We have loved shaking your cocktails and creating unmissable parties and events over the years, but as of January 27, we are sadly closing our doors in Leeds Electric Press.”

This message, shared publicly, captures the venue’s legacy of vibrant nightlife in Leeds.

As reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, this farewell resonated with locals who frequented the bar for its cocktail innovations and party vibes. No further comments from individual staff names were available in sourced reports, maintaining focus on the collective voice.

What Is The Revel Collective and Its Brand Portfolio?

The Revel Collective ranks among the UK’s best-known bar operators, overseeing brands such as Revolution, Revolucion de Cuba, and Peach Pubs. Prior to administration, it managed dozens of sites nationwide, blending cocktail bars with themed dining experiences.

The group’s model emphasised experiential drinking, but economic headwinds proved insurmountable for select outlets. Administrators’ actions have ringfenced stronger performers, signalling a leaner but enduring presence.

Why Were Rising Costs and Customer Spending Key Factors?

Administrators explicitly linked the closures to “rising costs,” encompassing inflated energy bills, supply chain disruptions, and wage pressures post-pandemic. Weaker spending by younger customers—often the core demographic for Revolution’s cocktail-focused offerings—exacerbated cashflow issues. As noted in Yorkshire Evening Post analysis, this trend reflects a hospitality sector grappling with cost-of-living squeezes affecting Gen Z and millennial punters.​

Leeds, with its student-heavy population, mirrored this national pattern at Electric Press, where footfall reportedly dipped amid economic caution.

What Does This Mean for Leeds’ Nightlife Scene?

Leeds city centre loses a key player in Revolution Electric Press, part of the Electric Press development known for media heritage and modern leisure. The venue’s closure leaves a gap in the cocktail and events market, potentially shifting custom to nearby independents or surviving chains.

Local business leaders have yet to comment formally, but the impact ripples through suppliers and neighbouring establishments. Patrons mourning the loss may seek alternatives in Leeds’ thriving bar quarter.

How Have Administrators Responded to the Crisis?

FTI Consulting moved swiftly post-administration, brokering sales that preserved 41 venues. Their confirmation underscores a “not the end of the road” outlook for the brands, with protected jobs outnumbering losses threefold.

This pragmatic approach prioritises continuity, as per standard insolvency practice in UK hospitality.

What Is the Future for Revolution Bars Post-Closures?

While 14 Revolution sites, including Leeds Electric Press, fade, the brand endures at 41 secured locations. Expect rebranding or refreshes at survivors to adapt to cost realities and spending shifts.

The Revel Collective’s skeleton crew navigates administration, with buyers likely focusing on profitable urban and suburban mixes.

Broader Context: Challenges in UK Hospitality

This episode highlights systemic woes: inflation-eroded margins, subdued youth spending, and lingering post-COVID recovery pains. Similar fates befell other chains, though The Revel Collective’s partial rescue bucks total collapse trends.

In Leeds, it amplifies calls for rates relief and energy caps to bolster independents filling voids like Electric Press.