Multinational brewery and bar chain BrewDog has announced it is closing a total of 10 different venues across the UK, with some staff reportedly given just ‘days’ notice.
BrewDog has become one of the most recognisable names and brands in the hospitality sector and has even expanded into the likes of the US, Germany, Australia, India and more in the 18 years since it was founded.
However, the self-proclaimed ‘number one craft brewer in Europe’ has now confirmed that nearly a 10th of all its worldwide bars are soon set to close (very soon) and, unfortunately, they’re all here in Britain: one in Leeds city centre and two others nearby.
Revealing the details of the closures on Tuesday, 22 July, CEO James Taylor – who only took up the role back in March – is said to have told staff in a company-wide email that the decision follows an “extremely difficult” decade for the industry.
🚨| BREAKING: BrewDog is closing 10 bars across the UK, with staff reportedly given "three days' notice".
— Trades Union Congress (@The_TUC) July 22, 2025
Unite Hospitality: "In what universe is 3 DAYS a morally (or legally) acceptable notice period for a proper redundancy consultation for the workers impacted?!"
According to The Guardian, Taylor’s letter reads: “Following much consideration, we have sadly concluded that there is no realistic prospect of making these venues commercially viable…
“Keeping them open would put pressure on the wider business, making it harder to invest where we know we can grow.
“This decision is not simply a response to the challenging UK hospitality market, but a proactive decision to redefine the bar division’s focus.”
The majority of these bars are now set to close this Saturday (26 July), with some staff only being given just three days’ notice of their imminent dismissal. BrewDog insist that a 14-day consultation process for those at risk of redundancy is in place.
As well as the Leeds North Street location, other Yorkshire sites set to shut this weekend include our friends over in Sheffield and the region’s capital, where the Micklegate bar will be closing its doors for good.
For context, this falls below the minimum legal requirements, which start from at least one week for anyone who has been there for up to two years and multiples for each year served – i.e. five weeks equates to at least a month’s notice period.
This man has just made millions from thousands of bar workers grafting over Christmas and New Year on just above the minimum wage.
— Unite Hospitality (@FairHospitality) January 15, 2025
The same man who was sunning himself in the Maldives weeks before his company abandoned the real living wage. #JamesWatt has absolutely no… pic.twitter.com/YP7io2YCz7
Issuing a public statement via the BBC, Unite Hospitality’s national lead, Bryan Simpson, said: “For BrewDog to give loyal workers less than four days’ notice of the closure of their workplace is not just morally repugnant, it is potentially unlawful.
“This is yet another example of a company that doesn’t have the slightest regard for basic employment law, let alone the welfare of their workers.
“We are currently supporting our members across these 10 sites to collectively challenge these redundancies, and we would urge anyone impacted to reach out to us for legal support.”
The backlash online following this news has been understandably furious, with many accusing the brand of breaking the law, as well as showing a lack of care and even “contempt” for their workforce.
Even more concerningly, this isn’t the first time the company has come under fire for the treatment of its employees; back in 2021, 61 former staff members penned an open letter claiming the brand cultivates a “culture of fear.”
Alleging “demeaning” behaviour and a “toxic” atmosphere which severely damaged people’s mental health on co-founder James Watt’s watch, as well as other previous management, even more current and ex-BrewDog workers simply felt unable to sign.
Sending our best to all those impacted by the closures.
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Featured Images — Jeremy Segrott (via Flickr)/The Hoot
