A PUB has announced that it will be closing its doors after months of speculation about its future. 

Whitbread, the company that owns Premier Inn and Beefeater has announced that the Three Pears Beefeater will be closing this week and will only be open to guests of the Premier Inn.

Customers had been confused after they had allegedly been told by staff that the pub would close on June 29.

In an email sent on Monday (July 1) to Beefeater loyalty members, the company said: "We are writing to let you know that we’ve announced plans to make changes at some of our restaurants, and unfortunately Three Pears, Beefeater in Worcester will be changing to a Premier Inn restaurant and will only service those staying in the hotel after July 5."

"We apologise for any inconvenience this will cause."

The restaurant will eventually be moved inside the neighbouring Premier Inn.

A Whitbread spokesperson said: "After many years serving the community we can confirm the Three Pears is closing its doors.

"We'd like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their support over the years and our amazing team members.

"Our Orchard Evesham Beefeater is still open for local guests."

In May, Whitbread admitted that The Three Pears Beefeater could be impacted by plans the company announced to close 126 "lower-performing" restaurants due to a reduction in footfall. 

John Rudge, Worcester City Councillor for St Nicholas Ward said: "It's an odd one because I don't ever think they were that successful even though it's been there for some time.

"I don't know about any plans to replace it but I have heard some suggestions that it might get taken over by a restaurant chain. 

"I have eaten there and it's not an obvious venue to go to, I felt a bit like I was pretending to be a resident. 

"In my opinion, it never had that wow factor to succeed as a stand-alone pub so I am not surprised that it is closing. 

"I'm glad Premier Inn guests will still be able to eat there.

The closure of 126 restaurants will lead to 3,500 more hotel rooms in the UK.

Whitbread's chief executive officer Dominic Paul said: "I recognise that these changes will be unsettling for affected team members and we are committed to working to enable as many as possible of those affected to stay by transferring into other vacancies across the business more broadly.

"Our teams are at the heart of our guest experience, and I want to thank each and every team member for their continued hard work and dedication to great quality, service and value."