BrewDog has announced the closure of ten bars, with one location set to shut its doors by the end of this week. The popular Scottish brewery and craft beer company disclosed that its Camden branch will cease operations this Friday, while other bars, including the flagship venue in Aberdeen, will follow suit starting this Saturday.
The company has initiated a consultation process with the affected staff, which is expected to span at least 14 days. BrewDog aims to relocate many of the impacted employees to alternative bar locations, according to a spokesperson.
In a message to the staff, CEO James Taylor revealed that the decision to close these venues was driven by financial considerations. Taylor stated, “After careful deliberation, we have reluctantly concluded that these locations are no longer financially viable.” He emphasized that maintaining these bars would strain the overall business, hindering investment in growth areas. The move is portrayed as not merely a reaction to the challenging UK hospitality market but a proactive step to refocus the bar division’s priorities.
The closure announcement was met with criticism from Unite Hospitality, expressing concern over the short notice period given to affected workers for redundancy consultations.
BrewDog emphasized that the decision to close these bars is part of a strategic realignment to ensure long-term profitability amid industry challenges such as escalating costs, regulatory changes, and economic pressures. The company is striving to minimize the impact on its workforce by facilitating redeployment and providing support to those transitioning out of the business. Despite the closures, BrewDog remains committed to its bar business and optimistic about future opportunities.