Uncertainty over future of Wigan pubs as firm announces it will shut dozens around the country

The company said it will keep 79 of its sites shut for the time being, with around one third of these closures expected to be permanent.

The chain has several pubs in the Wigan borough - Red Robin at Robin Park, Primrose Farm in Goose Green, The Venture in Highfield, The Mount in Orrell, Charnley Arms in Standish, Robin Hood and Bay Horse in Ashton, and Waterside Inn and The Parsonage in Leigh.

It called on the Government to provide support for the hospitality sector while tightened restrictions, such as the recent 10pm curfew, remain in place.

A spokesman for Greene King said: “The continued tightening of the trading restrictions for pubs, which may last another six months, along with the changes to Government support was always going to make it a challenge to reopen some of our pubs.

“Therefore, we have made the difficult decision not to reopen 79 sites, including the 11 Loch Fyne restaurants we announced last week.

“Around one-third will be closed permanently and we hope to be able to reopen the others in the future.

“We are working hard with our teams to try and find them a role in another of our pubs wherever possible.

“We urgently need the Government to step in and provide tailored support to help the sector get through to the spring and prevent further pub closures and job losses.”