TWO pubs in Bromsgrove and Redditch face an uncertain future after their operating group fell into administration.

Bramwell Pubs and Bars Limited operates 185 pubs and bars nationally including The Grapevine in Bromsgrove High Street, and The Abbey in Alcester Street, Redditch.

Zolfo Copper has been appointed joint administrators and the pubs, part of the firm’s Smith and Jones brand, remain open while a buyer is sought.

The administrators say Bramwell, which recently posted pre-tax losses of £117.7 million, had been experiencing cash flow problems arising from the challenging economic climate.

More than 30 of the chain’s pubs shut down immediately after the company went into administration.

Peter Saville, partner at Zolfo Cooper, said: “We will continue to trade the business while exploring all possible options for its future including a sale of the business, and would like to thank staff for their continued support and professionalism.”

In response to rumours The Grapevine was closing, a comment was posted on its Facebook site that said: “Just to clarify guys and gals. The Grapevine is not closed.

“We are still fighting strong.”

Bramwell Pubs and Bars Limited, formerly know as Barracuda, opened the Bromsgrove pub under its previous name, The Rousler, in 2006.

The pub relaunched as The Grapevine in 2011.