Inside Newport's Coldra Beefeater after closure to diners

The Coldra Beefeater, located beside Junction 24 of the M4 in Newport, served its final customers on September 10, ending a long run as a popular stop for travellers and families alike.

By the following afternoon, its large car park sat empty and the restaurant noticeably quiet.

People could still be seen inside, apparently clearing out the building.

Outside, Beefeater signs had already been taken down, with signage lying on the ground and the entrance deserted.

The beer garden, once busy with customers, was silent.

Tables remained, but there were no diners and no sign of the lunchtime trade that had once passed through.

The empty beer garden at The Coldra following the restaurant’s closure (Image: Newsquest)

The closure forms part of a broader plan by owner Whitbread to move away from its branded restaurant business and focus on its Premier Inn hotel chain.

The Coldra was one of five Beefeater sites in Wales to close on the same day.

Whitbread has said that food and drink services will continue to be available to Premier Inn guests.

The closure marks the end of a familiar landmark for those travelling through this part of Newport.

The restaurant had long been a regular stop for motorists, but also a favourite for local families celebrating birthdays, enjoying Sunday lunches, or gathering for Christmas meals.

Many shared their disappointment following the closure.

One former customer said: "Awwweee no! We go every year for Christmas lunch.

"Won’t be the same now."

Another simply wrote: "No more breakfasts."

The sense of loss was clear in the empty car park and silent beer garden.

No families arrived for lunch, no cars circled for a parking space, and no customers sat outside in the sun.

Just across the industrial estate, business continued as usual.

The neighbouring Premier Inn remains open, with guests and staff coming and going.

Across the road, McDonald’s saw a steady stream of traffic, with cars queuing around the building and workers from nearby offices walking over for lunch.

The contrast with the stillness at The Coldra was striking.

The closure is part of a wider restructuring by Whitbread, which owns both Premier Inn and the Beefeater brand.

The company is shifting its focus toward the hotel side of its operations, with several restaurant closures taking place across Wales.

While Premier Inn guests will still have access to food and drink options, the end of The Coldra Beefeater marks the loss of a long-standing fixture in the area.