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Walkabout signWalkabout SheffieldWalkabout's vast Australian drink rangeWalkabout's kangaroo burger
Walkabout is an Australian themed pub and restaurant chain in the United Kingdom owned by Stonegate pubs since December 2016.[1]
Walkabout employs 821 employees and its head office is based in Hemel Hempstead.[citation needed]
History
The first Walkabout bar was opened in 1994. In December 2016, it was reported that the brand had 30 outlets, down from a peak of about 50.[1]
In 2009 Walkabout's parent company went into administration. A number of unprofitable sites were closed and the company refinanced itself.[2]
In the 2010s Walkabout came under pressure by boroughs keen to clean up and gentrify their high streets.[3] Its Covent Garden branch, which was the first to open in the mid '90s, was closed in March 2013 with the company saying the site was too small.[2] There were 30 Walkabouts left operating at this time.[2]Shepherd's Bush Walkabout, one of their best known branches, closed in October 2013, leaving only one branch of Walkabout in London.[3] This closed in 2017 and was replaced by Bar Salsa! [4]
Commencing in 2013, Walkabout embarked on a refurbishment programme across the estate, with the following sites being refurbished; Derby, Carlisle, Lincoln and Blackpool. They have moved away from the 1990s 'outback' style fit out and closer to a modern venue. Following a hiatus in the refurbishment programme works began in earnest in 2015 starting in March with Walkabout Bristol, followed by Sheffield and Newquay. Also the first new Walkabout for 6 years opened in Brighton[5] (in the former Walkabout site); other new venues popped up in Solihull and Lichfield (following the purchase of two former Apres sites[6]). 2015 finished with the opening of a new Walkabout in Manchester's Printworks just before Christmas.[7]
2016 began with the refurbishment of the Walkabout Birmingham on Broad St.[8]
Throughout the year, Walkabout's journey continued to evolve with the refurbishment of many existing venues now functioning as new concept Walkabouts. They also have continued to acquire a variety of new sites across the UK and close others.[9]
The most recent opening was in Chelmsford,[10] where the site transitioned from a Wetherspoons to a new Walkabout bar in under three weeks.[11] In contrast, Walkabout's Liverpool venue closed on New Year's Day 2018 after 20 years.[12]
Walkabout has also evolved through innovation.[13] From collaborations with Pieminister[14] and Kilner,[15] to developments in their food offering and stadium seating being added to the Reading venue for watching sports.[16]
Media related to Walkabout at Wikimedia Commons
