Two UK pub restaurant chains are set to vanish from the high street as their parent company moves to overhaul its business in response to rising costs. Whitbread, which owns both Beefeater and Brewers Fayre, is planning to close all 197 of its standalone restaurant sites, including the Bar + Block chain, which could effect 3,800 jobs. The chains are typically located in close proximity to the company’s Premier Inn hotels. Chief executive Dominic Paul said the decision followed “significant cost increases”, which includes higher employer National Insurance contributions and business rates. The restructuring forms part of a five-year plan aimed at reducing costs and reshaping the company’s operations. Whitbread reported a 19% fall in profits to £298 million, and said it expects to save around £250 million through the changes. As part of the plan, around 110 sites will be sold, while other locations will be converted into hotel space, creating an estimated 600 additional rooms. It marks the end of an era for the steak and pub chains which have been popular with …