BrewDog has announced the immediate closure of 10 of its UK bars, including its flagship site on Gallowgate in Aberdeen, as the company responds to what it calls an “extremely difficult” climate for hospitality businesses. The closures, confirmed for Saturday, affect sites in Aberdeen, Brighton, Camden, Dundee, Leeds North Street, Oxford, Sheffield, York, and two additional London locations—Shepherd’s Bush and Shoreditch.
James Taylor, who took over as CEO in March after the departure of James Arrow, informed staff in an internal email that the affected locations are no longer commercially viable due to “their size, location and other limiting factors.” Taylor emphasized the closures are not just a reaction to economic challenges, but part of a broader effort to sharpen the company's focus and secure long-term growth in its bar division.
Founded in 2006 by James Watt and Martin Dickie in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, BrewDog grew from a garage-based brewery into a global brand, boasting 71 UK bars and operations across Dubai, the US, and Australia. Despite its expansion and reported revenue growth from GBP 321 million to GBP 355 million between 2022 and 2023, the company’s pre-tax losses widened from GBP 30 million to GBP 59.2 million in the same period.
A spokesperson for BrewDog noted that a 14-day consultation process has begun for all staff impacted by the closures. While the exact number of job losses remains undisclosed, the company aims to reassign as many employees as possible within its broader network.
Trade union Unite condemned the move, with Bryan Simpson, the union’s national hospitality lead, criticizing the short notice given to employees and questioning the legality of the process. Unite is reportedly preparing to support affected staff in challenging the redundancies.
The decision comes amid mounting pressures across the UK hospitality sector, including rising costs, national insurance hikes, and increased minimum wage requirements. These factors have also contributed to the recent collapse of Oakman Inns, which closed six venues and laid off 159 staff.
While BrewDog faced scrutiny in recent years over its internal culture and wage practices, it had shown signs of recovery in 2024, even expanding into China through a joint venture with Budweiser.
Nevertheless, the strategic withdrawal from underperforming locations signals a recalibration for the brewery-turned-bar operator as it seeks to reinforce profitable assets and shed unviable ones.
